The Pennsylvania Department of Health has expanded the availability of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccines in the wake of an outbreak of measles in the state.
As of Monday, the department has reported 393 total cases of measles this year, marking the highest number of cases since 1992. 381 of those cases have been since the start of the outbreak in eastern Pennsylvania in April. 86 new cases were reported over the last week. The Department also confirmed two deaths due to measles, both from Lancaster County where 185 cases have been reported. Indiana County has seen eight measles cases since the outbreak in April, while Jefferson County had 12 cases, and Clearfield county has 9. 29 counties have reported at least one case of measles this year.
Governor Josh Shapiro is urging people to get vaccinated as his state combats the worst measles outbreak in more than three decades. PA Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said in a release that because measles have been largely eradicated, people seem to be unfamiliar with the potential severity of the disease. The Department of Health has set up 91 pop-up vaccination clinics so far this year, and another 40 are expected in the next few weeks.
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