Four measles-related deaths confirmed in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed two additional measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania, bringing the total to four deaths this year. The two latest deaths were of unvaccinated individuals living in central-eastern areas of the state. One individual lived in Jefferson County, and the other lived in Mifflin County. Previously, the state reported the deaths of two deaths who had measles.

The state has counted nearly 700 cases spread across the majority of its counties so far in the calendar year. Nearly 100 new cases were recorded over the last seven days, according to statistics out Monday from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

It has been decades since the United States tallied four measles deaths in a calendar year—the last time was 1992. Last year, a total of three measles deaths were recorded in the country. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

How did the state officials respond? Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones during the state’s worst measles outbreak in 30 years and said she would continue working with partners to educate residents and expand access to the MMR vaccine.