Pennsylvania measles cases cross 900 as outbreak grows

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's measles outbreak continued to worsen, with 68 new ​infections reported since Wednesday last week, bringing the total to 903 on Monday, health department ‌data showed, as the state grapples with the worst measles resurgence in ⁠decades.

Here are more details:

• ​According to the Pennsylvania ⁠Department of Health, 176 measles patients had been ‌hospitalized, up from 164 ‌reported on September 23

• Lancaster County, with the ⁠highest number of cases, ⁠remains the hardest-hit area in the state

• Pennsylvania reported four measles-related deaths among unvaccinated residents earlier this month, sparking a disagreement between Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ‌over how many of the fatalities ​were directly caused by the virus

• Soon after, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was reviewing how it classifies measles-related deaths

• The CDC's website now lists one verified measles death but did not confirm where the death had ​occurred

• The U.S. has recorded 3,659 measles cases this ‌year as of ‌September ⁠24, according to CDC data

• Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause fever, rash and respiratory complications, but can be easily prevented with the ‌measles, mumps and rubella ​vaccine — a routine childhood immunization ‌that provides 97% ⁠protection after ​two doses

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