Mifflin County measles cases rise to 57

County now has second-highest total in Pennsylvania as outbreak continues

LEWISTOWN - Mifflin County's confirmed measles count has climbed to 57, giving it the second-highest county total in Pennsylvania as the statewide outbreak continues to spread.

The county added eight cases between Sept. 2 and Sept. 4, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's measles dashboard. Its count has nearly doubled since Aug. 25, when the state reported 29 cases in Mifflin County. Only Lancaster County, with 246 cases, now has more. Mifflin County moved ahead of Chester County, which has 56.

Pennsylvania had recorded 577 confirmed cases through Sept. 4, an increase of 37 in two days. The dashboard lists 115 cases during the latest seven-day period, compared with 119 in the previous period. Hospitalizations rose from 91 to 98, and cases have reached 37 counties. The state continues to report two measles-associated deaths.

The numbers support a warning Dr. Stanley Martin, Geisinger's director of infectious diseases, gave before schools reopened. He said the outbreak hadn't run its course and could continue for months.

"I don't think we see an end to the cases just yet by any means," Martin said. "And I don't think any of us would be surprised if they continue to spike upwards over the next couple of months."

Children remain a major concern with students back in classrooms. Thirty percent of Pennsylvania's confirmed patients are younger than 18, according to the dashboard. Martin said schools can help by teaching employees to recognize measles symptoms and giving parents accurate information about vaccination.

The state dashboard lists 0% of confirmed cases among fully vaccinated people. Martin offered the same assessment during his recent Geisinger interview, while qualifying it according to the information available at the time. "At least in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania so far with our measles outbreak this year, none of the cases that we know of have occurred in anybody who's been fully vaccinated," he said.

Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine provide about 97% protection, according to health officials. One dose provides about 93% protection. Martin said people who can't locate their vaccination records can discuss an immunity blood test with their health care provider. People who have completed the two-dose series don't routinely need a booster.

Elsewhere in the region, Snyder County's total increased by one to 24. Centre County remained at 17 cases, while Perry County had four and Huntingdon County had one. Juniata County still hadn't recorded a confirmed case.

The state's newest public exposure notice involved an infected traveler from outside Pennsylvania who visited the New Stanton Service Plaza on the westbound Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County on Aug. 17. The Department of Health said the traveler may have exposed people at businesses inside the plaza, its restrooms and the dining area. The dashboard lists Westmoreland County with one confirmed case.

Pennsylvania's two deaths have produced a dispute between state and federal officials. The state continues to classify both Lancaster County deaths as measles-associated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn't added either to its national count, although U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged Friday that measles caused one infant's death. The CDC says it's reviewing how measles deaths should be classified.

Measles symptoms commonly begin seven to 14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to appear. They include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that begins on the head or face and spreads downward. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Pennsylvania's dashboard won't receive its usual Monday update because of the Labor Day holiday. The state plans to post its next figures Tuesday afternoon, followed by updates Wednesday and Friday.