Pennsylvania records fifth measles death as country sees worst outbreak in 35 years

Pennsylvania records fifth measles death as country sees worst outbreak in 35 years

Pennsylvania health officials reported a fifth measles-associated death Wednesday as the U.S. endures its worst year for the disease since 1991. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the person was from Lancaster County and was unvaccinated. The state did not provide any further information about the person who died. Lancaster County’s coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, … Read more

‘We’re literally seeing new forms of measles’: Infectious disease doc warns about scary Pennsylvania development

‘We’re literally seeing new forms of measles’: Infectious disease doc warns about scary Pennsylvania development

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has taken a disturbing turn. The highly contagious disease has ripped through communities across the Keystone State in recent months, sickening hundreds, sending scores to the hospital and claiming four lives. Now, as the virus continues to spread, doctors are seeing it turn up in patients they rarely encountered before — and … Read more

Pennsylvania woman dies from measles complications — third virus-related death in the state this year

Pennsylvania woman dies from measles complications — third virus-related death in the state this year

A Pennsylvania woman has died from complications associated with measles, the third death in the state this year involving the virus. The 40-year-old woman died Saturday, Jefferson County Coroner Greg Furlong said in a Facebook post in which he called the death “measles-related.” The post did not identify the woman other than as a resident … Read more

Coroner confirms details of babies’ measles-related deaths amid growing Pennsylvania outbreak

Coroner confirms details of babies’ measles-related deaths amid growing Pennsylvania outbreak

NEW YORK — The two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania last month involved infants, and the virus itself caused one of the deaths, a Pennsylvania coroner confirmed Wednesday. Lancaster County’s coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, said he told the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of his conclusions. CDC officials, however, have not said whether they will count either death as … Read more

Two Americans dead from measles in Pennsylvania — first deaths in state in 35 years: health department

Two Pennsylvania residents have died due to measles, health officials said ​on Tuesday, the first such deaths in the ​state in 35 years, with 393 cases of ⁠the disease reported across 28 counties so far in ​2026. Both people were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County, according to ​the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which did not … Read more

Dr. Oz clarifies the MMR vaccine is ‘not lethal’ after Trump suggested it could be

WASHINGTON — Dr. Mehmet Oz clarified Sunday that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not lethal, after President Trump raised concerns when signing an executive order earlier this month pushing for the three-in-one inoculation to be separated. Oz, the administrator of the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, made clear there is … Read more

I’m a doctor — Trump’s child vax order comes at bad time as US may lose measles elimination status

I’m a doctor — Trump’s child vax order comes at bad time as US may lose measles elimination status

Timing is everything, and the executive order calling for pediatricians to change how they space out childhood vaccines comes at a difficult time. On Monday, President Trump signed an order adopting new recommendations of 11 childhood vaccines, down from 18 — and called for the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine to be split into three separate shots, … Read more

US hits most cases of ‘world’s most contagious disease’ in 35 years — and it’s only July

US hits most cases of ‘world’s most contagious disease’ in 35 years — and it’s only July

Less than seven months into 2026, the United States has already reached a 35-year high for annual measles cases. As of Tuesday, there are 2,295 confirmed cases across the country, according to Johns Hopkins University’s US measles tracker — which has published the more up-to-date data than the CDC. That surpasses 2025’s record-breaking total of … Read more

‘World’s most contagious disease’ on track for highest US cases in 35 years — doc warns: ‘We are allowing it to spread’

‘World’s most contagious disease’ on track for highest US cases in 35 years — doc warns: ‘We are allowing it to spread’

Measles only needs a small opening — and it got one. For the second year in a row, cases of measles — known as the world’s most infectious disease — will hit record highs, and 2026 is on track to be substantially worse than 2025. In a matter of weeks, we’re likely to blow past … Read more

American vaccines that transformed public health, prevented millions of illnesses over 250 years

American vaccines that transformed public health, prevented millions of illnesses over 250 years

Before the first successful vaccine was developed in 1796, Americans had little protection against deadly infectious diseases like smallpox, measles and diphtheria. Over the next 250 years, vaccines helped eliminate or dramatically reduce many vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, preventing millions of illnesses, infections and deaths. “There is a reason that vaccines are widely considered to be the greatest … Read more

World’s most contagious disease found at busy California airport

World’s most contagious disease found at busy California airport

A traveler infected with the world’s most contagious disease passed through a busy Southern California airport during the summer travel rush, potentially exposing scores of unsuspecting passengers. Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a confirmed measles case involving a person who was infectious while traveling through Hollywood Burbank Airport and visiting a nearby rental … Read more

World’s most infectious disease case found in California after they passed through super spreader hubs

World’s most infectious disease case found in California after they passed through super spreader hubs

A person infected with measles passed through San Francisco International Airport and two busy San Jose grocery stores, health officials have revealed. The alert involves an adult from Santa Clara County who was infectious while passing through the major transport hub on Thursday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The individual moved through the … Read more

Poison center reports rose 39% for a common supplement — after it was incorrectly touted as a measles cure

Poison center reports rose 39% for a common supplement — after it was incorrectly touted as a measles cure

Just because you can grab it off a drugstore shelf doesn’t mean it’s harmless. As the US confronted a major resurgence of measles last year, poison control centers reported a sharp spike in calls involving children exposed to a widely available supplement. Around the same time, new research shows internet searches surged for whether that … Read more

I’m an infectious disease doctor — the virus that keeps me up at night, especially on a cruise ship

I’m an infectious disease doctor — the virus that keeps me up at night, especially on a cruise ship

A dream trip has turned into a floating nightmare for passengers and crew aboard the MV Hondius, where a hantavirus outbreak has killed three and sickened at least four others. Nearly 150 people still on board are in quarantine after health officials confirmed that two passengers were infected with the Andes strain, a rare and … Read more

Why cruise ships create an ‘ideal’ environment for disease — and the worst-case scenarios

Why cruise ships create an ‘ideal’ environment for disease — and the worst-case scenarios

A little sunburn and seasickness might be the least of your worries once you set sail on that dream cruise. More than 150 people, including 17 Americans, are currently confined to their cabins aboard a luxury cruise ship amid a suspected hantavirus outbreak that has left them stranded off the coast of West Africa. At … Read more

Boy, 7, dies of brain condition caused by world’s most contagious disease — years after he had it as a baby

Boy, 7, dies of brain condition caused by world’s most contagious disease — years after he had it as a baby

Sacramento health officials sounded the alarm about a potential measles outbreak on Monday after more than 100 children were exposed to an unvaccinated child at an educational enrichment program. It’s far from the only community at risk. The US has already passed 1,000 confirmed cases this year, with infections “worse than expected” in Utah and … Read more

Health care workers can’t recognize measles — and it’s putting people in ERs at risk

Health care workers can’t recognize measles — and it’s putting people in ERs at risk

Measles is back in a big way — and it’s catching some doctors off guard. In North Carolina, hospital staff took a staggering two hours and 20 minutes to isolate 7-year-old twin brothers who arrived at an Asheville ER last month with fever, cough, rash, pink eye and cold-like symptoms, KFF Health News reports. The … Read more

Dozens infected in massive measles outbreak at US college despite majority vaccinations

Dozens infected in massive measles outbreak at US college despite majority vaccinations

More than 40 measles cases have been reported at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida, marking the largest outbreak on an American college campus in recent history.  The situation at the private Catholic college comes amid a broader national increase in measles cases, with 2,280 confirmed infections nationwide in 2025 and more than 900 cases reported so … Read more

The hidden measles complication that can kill you years later — as nearly 200 cases confirmed across US

The hidden measles complication that can kill you years later — as nearly 200 cases confirmed across US

Measles is back with a vengeance — and the danger doesn’t end when the rash fades. The US saw a dramatic rise in cases last year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting the highest numbers of the highly contagious respiratory disease in more than 30 years. And the numbers keep climbing. Federal … Read more

The scary measles complication that makes your body forget how to fight other infections — as cases rise to highest in 30 years

The scary measles complication that makes your body forget how to fight other infections — as cases rise to highest in 30 years

Surviving measles doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. In 2025, the US saw a dramatic spike in cases, with the CDC reporting the highest levels of the highly contagious disease in over 30 years. Now, health experts are sounding the alarm about a little-known complication that can make your body forget how to fight off … Read more