Pennsylvania reports four new measles cases

Pennsylvania health officials reported four additional measles cases on Thursday, extending an outbreak that began this month in Lebanon County into a wider stretch of central Pennsylvania. Two of the new cases were identified in Lebanon County, one in Lancaster County and one in Dauphin County, according to a report published May 22 by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The new infections added to a cluster that state and local officials have been tracking through contact tracing and vaccination outreach. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has said vaccination is the most effective protection against the virus. May 6 marked the state’s first detailed public update on the Lebanon County outbreak. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said then that 11 Lebanon County residents had been diagnosed with measles after three people were hospitalized and investigators identified additional mild cases through contact tracing. Of those 11 patients, 10 were unvaccinated and one had an unverifiable vaccination status, the department said. Statewide, Pennsylvania had 23 measles cases in 2026 as of that May 6 release, including 12 earlier unrelated cases. (inquirer.com) ### Which counties are now part of the outbreak? The May 22 update identified new cases in three counties: Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin. The Inquirer reported that the additional infections were disclosed by health officials in a statement on Thursday, with Lebanon County accounting for two of the four new cases. Dauphin County’s case appeared to mark the spread of the outbreak into the county that includes Harrisburg. (pa.gov) Earlier reporting on May 15 showed the outbreak had already moved beyond Lebanon County. The Inquirer reported then that health officials had identified another case in Lebanon County, three in Lancaster County and one in Berks County, while investigators worked to determine how many of those infections were connected. ### Why are officials emphasizing vaccination again? (inquirer.com) Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s health secretary, said on May 6 that the department was using “established public health practices and a dedicated team of experts” to manage the outbreak. In the same statement, she urged residents who think they may have had measles in the prior month to call the state health department and said vaccination protects “yourself, your family, and your community.” (inquirer.com) CDC guidance says measles can spread from four days before through four days after a rash appears, which is one reason contact tracing can widen quickly once a case is confirmed. The agency says up to 90% of non-immune close contacts can become infected, and that two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. ### What should people in affected areas watch for? CDC guidance says measles symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and often begin with high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. (pa.gov) A rash typically follows three to five days after the first symptoms and usually starts on the face at the hairline before spreading downward. Lancaster County’s public guidance says people are generally considered protected if they were born before 1957, already had measles, or received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. (cdc.gov) The county also says infants under 12 months are not eligible for routine vaccination and that people who are pregnant, immunosuppressed or caring for exposed infants should consult a healthcare provider promptly after a possible exposure. (cdc.gov) ### What are officials asking people to do next? Pennsylvania’s health department said suspected measles cases should be reported immediately through 877-724-3258 or local health departments. The state also said it issued a statewide health alert to providers and held a measles vaccination clinic in Lebanon County, where 26 people received vaccinations on May 5. Local and state officials are expected to continue posting county-level updates as new cases are confirmed and contacts are identified. (lancastercountypa.gov) (pa.gov)