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LEWISTOWN – Mifflin County's measles count has climbed to 183, an increase of 16 cases since Friday, as Pennsylvania's outbreak continues to spread. The county accounted for nearly one-fifth of the state's 86 new cases during that period.
Only Lancaster County, with 443 cases, has reported more infections, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health's measles dashboard, updated Wednesday. Lancaster added 28 cases since Friday, while Chester County remained third with 90 cases after adding three.
Mifflin County had 167 cases Friday. Its latest total is more than six times the 29 cases the state reported Aug. 25.
Pennsylvania has recorded 1,222 cases in 42 counties this year, up from 1,136 cases in 41 counties Friday. Forest County, which now has two cases, became the latest county added to the state's list.
Hospitalizations rose by six to 225, while the number of measles-associated deaths remained at five. The dashboard lists 157 new cases during the latest seven-day period, the same number it reported Friday.
Patients younger than 18 account for 34% of the statewide total, up from 33%. Fewer than 1% of confirmed patients were fully vaccinated, a figure that hasn't changed.
Juniata County recorded the region's largest increase outside Mifflin County, climbing from one case Friday to 12 on Wednesday. Centre County rose by three to 31, and Snyder County added one case for a total of 48. Huntingdon County remained at seven cases, while Perry County stayed at four.
State health officials continue to report community transmission in 12 counties: Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Indiana, Jefferson, Lancaster, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, Union, and York. The department defines community transmission as continued spread across multiple generations outside the original household that can't be explained by a separate introduction of measles.
The Department of Health reports that its employees have administered 9,352 measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine doses this year, an increase of 67 since Friday. That figure includes doses given by department employees and doesn't represent every MMR vaccination administered across Pennsylvania.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles, according to health officials. One dose provides about 93% protection, and people who have completed the two-dose series don't routinely need a booster.
The department hasn't posted a new public exposure notice. Its latest notice, dated Sept. 2, 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.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for as long as two hours after the person leaves, and 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 877-PA-HEALTH, or 877-724-3258, before visiting a medical facility so employees can take precautions.