Pa. reports first 2 US measles deaths
US has seen five measles-related deaths in past two years
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PHILADELPHIA -- Two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died after being infected with measles, the first U.S. deaths this year related to the contagious virus.
State health officials announced the deaths Tuesday. They did not reveal any details about the people who died, other than that they lived in Lancaster County, west of Philadelphia.
"My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss," said state Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. "Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness."
The U.S. has now seen five measles-associated deaths in the last two years -- more than the combined total of reported deaths over the previous three decades -- and is enduring its worst year for measles since 1991.
With 2,777 cases as of Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year already has surpassed 2025's measles count.
In November, international health officials will meet to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. The U.S. eliminated local measles spread in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, which have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.
The measles surge has coincided with moves by President Donald Trump's administration to scale back childhood vaccinations, based on concerns -- unfounded, according to scientific studies -- about vaccine safety.
Doctors have raised concerns that Trump and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are stoking confusion and hesitancy.
In a media briefing Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro said he had spoken with Kennedy, who offered the assistance of federal health staffers. Shapiro declined the offer, saying Pennsylvania's health department was able to handle the current situation.
"I was very, very blunt with him," Shapiro said. "I made very clear that his actions and the rhetoric that's coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania."
He added: "There's real-life consequences to scaring people and not relying on actual doctors and actual medical professionals to provide unbiased information to parents so that we can make reasonable decisions for our kids."