Measles Death Toll Rises In PA; Hospitalizations Top 300

PENNSYLVANIA — The measles-associated death toll in Pennsylvania has risen to seven. The state Department of Health announced Friday that an unvaccinated Montour County resident tested positive for measles and has died.

Citing privacy reasons, the health department stated it will not release any additional information that could personally identify the victim.

The death was reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and added to Pennsylvania’s measles dashboard. The number of confirmed measles cases as of Friday stood at 1,542 across 46 of the state's 67 counties thus far in 2026; there have been 305 measles-related hospitalizations.

To be considered measles-associated, a death must meet all of the following criteria:

• Death must occur within 30 days of symptom onset in an individual with clinical evidence of a measles infection and a positive laboratory test.

• Death must not be due to unrelated causes, such as a vehicle accident.

Additional information, such as whether an individual was exposed to a confirmed measles case prior to death or supporting medical records, also is considered.