Mifflin County measles cases climb to 106
Pennsylvania surpasses 900
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LEWISTOWN -- Mifflin County's measles count has climbed to 106, an increase of 13 cases in one week, as Pennsylvania surpassed 900 cases.
Only Lancaster County, with 363 cases, has reported more infections, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's measles dashboard, updated Monday. Chester County ranks third with 83 cases.
Mifflin County had 93 confirmed cases on Sept. 21. The county has added 77 cases since Aug. 25, when the state reported 29.
Pennsylvania has recorded 903 cases in 39 counties this year, an increase of 111 cases since Sept. 21. Hospitalizations rose from 155 to 176 during the same period, while the number of measles-associated deaths remained at four.
The dashboard lists 114 new cases during the latest seven-day period, up from 97 in the seven-day period reported Sept. 21. Patients younger than 18 account for 31% of the statewide total, unchanged from Sept. 21. Fewer than 1% of confirmed patients were fully vaccinated.
Pennsylvania's dashboard added 13 cases between Friday and Monday, compared with 55 between Wednesday and Friday. Four of those 13 cases were in Mifflin County.
The state's four measles-associated deaths include an unvaccinated 18-year-old Mifflin County resident whose death was confirmed Sept. 15.
The Department of Health hasn't released the resident's name. The other deaths involved an unvaccinated Jefferson County resident and two Lancaster County infants who were too young to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.
State health officials continue to report community transmission in 11 counties: Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, Union, and York. The list, which the department updates each Monday, didn't change this week.
The department defines community transmission as spread through multiple generations beyond the original household that can't be traced to another measles introduction. Officials said those counties may need additional measures, including catch-up vaccinations or early MMR doses.
Elsewhere in the region, Snyder County has 42 cases, an increase of six since Sept. 21. Huntingdon County added one case for a total of four. Centre County remains at 19, Perry County has four, and Juniata County hasn't recorded a confirmed case.
The Department of Health reports its employees have administered 8,306 MMR vaccine doses in 2026, an increase of 724 since Sept. 21. The total doesn't include every MMR dose administered across Pennsylvania.
The department said Friday that its employees had administered over 5,300 doses at 165 pop-up clinics in affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. The department plans additional clinics based on community interest and need.
Health care providers across Pennsylvania have also seen increased demand for the vaccine. They administered more than 49,000 MMR doses in August, compared with approximately 25,000 during a typical month, according to the department. Providers administered over 38,000 doses during the first three weeks of September. Those statewide totals include vaccinations outside department clinics.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles, according to health officials. One dose provides about 93% protection. People who have completed the two-dose series don't routinely need a booster.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for as long as two hours after the person leaves. An infected person can spread measles before developing a rash.
Symptoms can appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the head or face before spreading downward.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call a health care provider or the department's hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258) before visiting a medical facility so employees can take precautions.