PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two people in Lancaster County have died from measles — the first people to die from the highly contagious virus in Pennsylvania in 35 years.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said both people were unvaccinated.
The state has confirmed nearly 400 cases of the virus this year — 185 of them in Lancaster County, and 41 in Chester County.
State Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said because measles was largely eliminated, “people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness.”
She said the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect yourself. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it has administered more than 3,600 MMR vaccinations at 85 pop-up clinics so far this year.
Pennsylvania Department of Health says both people were unvaccinated
Pennsylvania Department of Health says both people were unvaccinated
