The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Friday that 577 measles cases have been confirmed across 37 counties in Pennsylvania so far in 2026, including two reported earlier in Lehigh County, the only cases in the Times News coverage area.

DOH said that it is continuing its robust response to the ongoing outbreak and is providing Pennsylvanians with updated information on cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking the trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the state and helps inform DOH’s response.

Key updates include:

• New cases since Aug. 31: 80.

• Total counties: 37.

• Total Cumulative Cases: 577.

• Total hospitalizations: 98.

• Total cumulative measles-associated deaths: 2.

Pennsylvanians can stay up to date on confirmed measles cases, hospitalizations, deaths, community transmission and vaccination efforts on DOH’s online dashboard at pa.gov/measles.

DOH is proactively working with residents, community organizations, and health care providers to combat the measles outbreak in the state through access to fact-based information and access to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

State health officials have administered more than 3,900 MMR vaccinations at more than 100 pop-up vaccination clinics in the affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. Dozens of additional vaccine clinics are scheduled for the upcoming weeks and months, based on community interest and need.

The best protection against measles is getting fully vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is given in a two-dose series and provides 97% protection against measles after two doses.

MMR vaccine is available across the state by contacting a health care provider, county or municipal health department, DOH State Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers or a Vaccines for Children program.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Death from measles, though rare, occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with the infection leaves the area.

Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes (conjunctivitis), followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Without proper protection or care, measles can be deadly. Symptoms can start seven to 21 days after exposure.

People who believe they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider or call DOH’s toll-free hotline at 877-724-3258.