Pennsylvania health officials have confirmed two recent deaths from measles, marking the first such fatalities in the United States in 2026. Both individuals who died were from Lancaster County and were not vaccinated against the disease, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). Their deaths represent the first measles-related fatalities in the state in 35 years, highlighting a concerning resurgence of the disease. Since the start of the year, Pennsylvania has reported 393 confirmed cases of measles across 28 counties. Nationally, the United States has seen 2,813 cases so far in 2026, surpassing the total number of cases from 2025, which stood at 2,289. The 2025 total included over 240 hospitalizations and three deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These figures include both cases acquired within the U.S. and those imported from other countries, though most infections result from local transmission. The rise in measles cases comes amid a decline in vaccination rates among kindergarteners in the U.S. and an increase in the number of children with vaccine exemptions. If this trend continues, the country may lose its "measles elimination status," a designation that means the disease has not been continuously circulating in the U.S. for over 12 months. The U.S. officially eliminated measles in 2000, but the disease is now likely to be regularly present again. According to the Johns Hopkins U.S. Measles Tracker, nearly all of the cases reported this year—96%—have occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Two doses of either the MMRV vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) or the MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) are about 97% effective in preventing measles infections. While both vaccines offer similar protection against measles, the MMRV vaccine also includes protection against chickenpox. Measles can cause symptoms such as rash, fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract the disease require hospitalization, and complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation can occur. In the U.S., 1 to 3 in 1,000 people with measles die from the disease. Survivors may face long-term health issues, including neurological conditions or "immune amnesia," where the immune system loses its ability to recognize and fight off previously encountered pathogens. Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s secretary of health, emphasized the importance of vaccination in a statement. "Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness," she said. "We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities." The DOH reiterated that the best way to protect against measles is to get fully vaccinated.