LANCASTER, PA — Pennsylvania has logged 540 measles cases in 36 counties this year as the outbreak continues to spread, according to numbers released Wednesday by the state Department of Health.
State health officials say Lancaster County remains the center of the outbreak, with about 45% of all reported cases tied to that county. The department also reported 91 hospitalizations statewide as of Wednesday, underscoring how quickly the illness has affected patients who became sick enough to need hospital care.
The state is urging residents to get the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, as one of the main tools to slow the outbreak.
Lancaster County remains the center of Pennsylvania’s outbreak
The health department’s latest count puts Lancaster County far ahead of the rest of the state. With roughly 45% of Pennsylvania’s 540 cases, the county is carrying a large share of the measles burden even as infections have been recorded in dozens of places across the commonwealth.
The county’s total also includes two cumulative measles-associated deaths that the state has reported. That figure has not been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leaving a gap between what Pennsylvania has counted and what federal officials have officially recognized.
Even with that uncertainty, the county’s numbers show why local health officials have remained focused on prevention and vaccination. Measles spreads quickly in communities where immunity is lower, and the current case count suggests the outbreak is still active.
Hospitalizations show the outbreak has been more than a mild illness
Pennsylvania has reported 91 hospitalizations tied to measles as of Wednesday. That figure matters because measles is often discussed as a childhood illness, but the state’s data show a significant number of patients have needed inpatient care.
Hospitalization can reflect severe symptoms, complications or the need for closer monitoring, and those numbers add another layer of concern to the outbreak totals. The Department of Health has not broken down the hospitalizations by county in the latest update.
Public health officials have continued to emphasize vaccination because the MMR shot is the standard protection against measles. In an outbreak this large, officials often focus on raising coverage quickly to reduce the number of people who can still be infected.
Central Pennsylvania counties continue to add cases
The outbreak is not limited to Lancaster County. The health department’s county-by-county figures show infections spread through much of central Pennsylvania, including some counties with only a handful of cases and others with more substantial totals.
Among the latest counts: Adams has 1 case, Berks 4, Cumberland 1, Dauphin 0, Franklin 2, Juniata 0, Lebanon 21, Mifflin 49, Perry 4 and York 20. Those numbers show how unevenly the outbreak has touched nearby counties, with some places still reporting no cases and others seeing much higher totals.
Mifflin and Lebanon stand out among the central Pennsylvania counties listed in the update, while York also has a notable count. The spread across multiple counties suggests the outbreak is not confined to a single local area.
State officials are pressing residents to get vaccinated
The Department of Health has urged Pennsylvanians to get the MMR vaccine as the outbreak continues. That recommendation is the main public health response highlighted in Wednesday’s update, along with the state’s push to keep residents aware of where cases are appearing.
Vaccination is especially important during a measles outbreak because the virus is highly contagious. Public health agencies use immunization not only to protect the person receiving the shot but also to help shield people who cannot be vaccinated or who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.
The state has not said the outbreak is over, and the case totals suggest continued monitoring will be necessary. As long as new cases keep appearing across counties, health officials are likely to keep vaccine outreach at the center of their response.
National measles totals have already topped last year’s count
Pennsylvania’s numbers come as measles continues to circulate nationally. The CDC reported 2,903 total U.S. cases as of Aug. 30, a figure that has already surpassed the total number of cases reported in 2025.
That national tally puts Pennsylvania’s outbreak in a broader context. While the state’s 540 cases represent only part of the nationwide count, they are still large enough to keep Pennsylvania among the states dealing with active measles spread.
The federal update also helps explain why state health departments have stayed focused on vaccination and surveillance. When cases rise across the country, local outbreaks can put pressure on hospitals, public health staff and families trying to keep children and other vulnerable people protected.
What the latest numbers mean for Pennsylvania communities
The state’s latest update shows a disease pattern that is still developing and still uneven. Some counties listed by the Department of Health have no cases at all, while others have seen infection totals grow quickly.
For residents, the practical takeaway is straightforward: public health officials want vaccination to remain the first line of defense. With 540 cases, 91 hospitalizations and two reported measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County that have not been confirmed by the CDC, the outbreak has already had a serious impact.
As Pennsylvania continues to track cases across 36 counties, officials are likely to keep watching for new infections, additional hospitalizations and any sign that the outbreak is slowing. For now, the numbers show the state is still in the middle of it.
Local news that matters, from Dulaney Griffin.
