Pennsylvania Warns of 12 Measles Cases in Lebanon County as 10 Patients Were Unvaccinated
Updated
Updated · WPMT FOX 43 · May 14
Pennsylvania Warns of 12 Measles Cases in Lebanon County as 10 Patients Were Unvaccinated
3 articles · Updated · WPMT FOX 43 · May 14
Twelve measles cases were reported in Lebanon County as of May 8, prompting Pennsylvania health officials to warn of a local spike and step up efforts to identify and contain infections.
Three county residents were hospitalized, and contact tracing uncovered additional mild cases; officials said the infected individuals are no longer contagious.
Ten of the 12 Lebanon County patients were unvaccinated and one had unverifiable status, mirroring the statewide pattern: 22 of Pennsylvania's 24 measles cases this year were unvaccinated.
A statewide health alert has gone to providers, the department urged anyone with possible measles in the past month to call 877-PA-HEALTH, and a Lebanon County clinic gave 26 vaccinations.
The county cluster accounts for half of Pennsylvania's 24 measles cases in 2026, while the other 12 were earlier, unrelated infections.
After 26 years, why is the U.S. on the verge of losing its measles-free status?
With measles costing millions, can states still afford lenient vaccine exemption laws?
As trust in science wanes, how can communities stop the return of once-eliminated diseases?