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Fifth unvaccinated person dies of measles; CDC still not counting all deaths
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- DeepHorus
Pennsylvania’s health department announced Wednesday that a fifth unvaccinated person had died of measles in an outbreak that began in late April. The latest victim was a resident of Lancaster County, the outbreak’s epicenter. Officials released no age, medical history or other details about the deceased.
As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had recorded 943 cases across 39 counties, including 119 reported in the previous seven days. At least 176 people had been hospitalized. Lancaster County accounted for 381 cases and three deaths, while the other two fatalities occurred elsewhere in the state.
The first two Lancaster County deaths were infants too young to be vaccinated, a newborn boy and a 6-week-old girl. No further information was released about the county’s third death. The other victims were an unvaccinated 18-year-old Mifflin County resident, who developed a severe neurological complication, and an unvaccinated 40-year-old woman with chronic underlying conditions.
The 40-year-old had several conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, that increased her risk of severe infection. The five deaths are Pennsylvania’s first reported measles fatalities in 35 years. Pennsylvania described them as the only U.S. measles deaths reported this year, although the CDC was still not counting all fatalities.
The health department’s announcement included no official reaction or explanation of the latest fatality’s circumstances. Last year, the United States recorded three measles deaths, all connected to a major West Texas outbreak that spread to nearby states. Two victims were otherwise-healthy, unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas, and the third was an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
Before 2025, the United States had not seen a measles death since 2015. Pennsylvania’s outbreak has expanded beyond its center, with weekly growth and 176 hospitalizations showing continued transmission. Future updates may raise the totals and provide more information about the unidentified fifth victim.
