Measles Surges: Amish Community Faces Health Crisis

A measles outbreak is causing significant concern for pregnant women and newborns in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with traditional midwife Roberta Devers witnessing the virus's devastating impact. She reports caring for numerous pregnant women infected with measles, some experiencing severe outcomes. Devers, who has changed her views on vaccines due to her experiences, is unable to administer them herself, highlighting a critical gap in response efforts.

Pennsylvania has confirmed measles in 97 pregnant women, and while data on miscarriages is unavailable, Devers reported one patient losing her baby at 17 weeks, which she believes was linked to measles. The Amish community, where home births are common, has seen a substantial decrease in childhood vaccinations, with rates dropping from 52% in 2014 to 30% in 2022. This trend mirrors a national decline, with 75% of U.S. counties falling below the measles herd immunity threshold as of the 2025-26 school year.

Experts like pediatric infectious disease physician Dr. Evan Shirey are witnessing severe complications in children, including respiratory distress and encephalitis, describing the situation as "horrifying." The inability of traditional midwives to administer vaccines limits their ability to curb outbreaks. While some states like New York have authorized certain practitioners, Pennsylvania law requires legislative changes for traditional midwives to gain vaccine administration authority. Despite a recent slowdown in new cases, large community gatherings like Amish weddings could reignite the spread.