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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Pennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 460 in 31 Counties

    Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, counties with cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission, and vaccination efforts on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s dashboard at pa.gov/measles.

     

    Getting vaccinated is the best protection against the measles virus, the vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing measles after two doses.  

    August 28, 2026

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) today announced that 460 measles cases have been confirmed across 31 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026, as the Department continues its response to the ongoing measles outbreak and provides Pennsylvanians with updated information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. 

    DOH is providing statewide data to help Pennsylvanians and health care providers understand measles activity and community transmission across the Commonwealth. 

    While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the Commonwealth and helps inform the Department’s ongoing response.

    Key updates include:

    • New Positive Cases (since August 26, 2026): 36

    • Total Counties: 31

    • Total Cumulative Cases: 460

    • Total Hospitalizations: 83

    • Total Cumulative Measles-Associated Deaths: 2

     

    Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission, and vaccination efforts on DOH’s dashboard: pa.gov/measles.  
     

    Getting Vaccinated 

    The best protection against measles is getting fully vaccinated. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in a two-dose series and provides 97 percent protection against measles after two doses.

    MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), or a Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

    Measles Symptoms and Transmission

    Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20 percent of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

    Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.

    Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure.

    People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

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