First Measles Deaths Reported in the U.S. This Year from Pennsylvania

Two residents of Pennsylvania who were not vaccinated have died from measles, as reported by state health officials on Tuesday. This incident marks the first measles-related fatalities in the United States for the year.

The deceased individuals were from Lancaster County, located west of Philadelphia. State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed condolences to the families affected by this loss and noted that measles had been largely eliminated in Pennsylvania for over three decades, leading to a lack of awareness about the disease's severity.

This year has seen a significant rise in measles cases across the U.S., with nearly 400 reported in Pennsylvania alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the country has surpassed the previous record for measles cases, with 2,777 confirmed cases as of Thursday. Vaccination rates have declined, contributing to the current outbreak.