A fourth measles death is reported in Pennsylvania, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/15/fourth-measles-death-pennsylvania/)
16-09-2026
Here is a summary of the news reported on September 15, 2026:
- The Recent Fatalities: Pennsylvania health authorities confirmed two additional measles-associated deaths, bringing the state’s total to four during the current outbreak. The fourth confirmed death was an unvaccinated 18-year-old from Mifflin County who died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare and severe neurological complication resulting from measles. The third death, which occurred shortly before, involved an unvaccinated 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County.
- Previous Deaths: The state had earlier reported two measles-related deaths in August involving infants in Lancaster County who were too young to receive vaccination. These were Pennsylvania’s first measles-related fatalities in roughly 35 years.
- Scope of the Outbreak: Pennsylvania has become the epicenter of the largest U.S. measles outbreak in decades, with nearly 700 confirmed infections across 38 counties in 2026. Health experts note that true case numbers are likely higher due to untested individuals.
- Health and Policy Context: Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen urged the public to get vaccinated, emphasizing that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the primary tool to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths. The outbreak has also fueled ongoing tensions between state officials and federal health leadership over case reporting and vaccination policies.