The Pennsylvania Department of Health is working closely with health care providers and local communities to proactively identify and prevent measles among individuals in Lebanon County, and across the Commonwealth.
Following the hospitalization of three individuals from Lebanon County with measles, DOH staff conducted contact tracing and identified additional mild cases among other Lebanon County residents.
As of May 6, 11 Lebanon County residents have been diagnosed with measles. Of these, 10 were unvaccinated, and one had a vaccination status that could not be verified. The individuals are no longer infectious. This brings the total number of Pennsylvania residents with measles in 2026 to 23, including 12 individuals from prior unrelated cases reported earlier this year. Of the 23 total cases in PA, 22 were unvaccinated, and one had an unverifiable vaccination status, underscoring that vaccination remains the most effective protection.
“The Department of Health remains vigilant and prepared to manage measles cases with established public health practices and a dedicated team of experts,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “That is exactly why we are taking proactive action to both inform the impacted communities and the greater public so we can stay ahead of this incredibly contagious disease. We need the public’s support to contain this virus – including asking anyone who thinks they may have had measles in the past month to call the Department toll-free at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). Pennsylvanians can remain completely anonymous in their reporting which greatly helps our mission of preventing any further spread. The other important way people can contain the spread of measles is to get vaccinated; getting vaccinated protects yourself, your family, and your community.”
In addition to issuing a statewide Health Alert message for all health care providers outlining the signs and symptoms of measles, DOH staff held a measles vaccination clinic in Lebanon yesterday, where 26 individuals received vaccinations. For privacy reasons, the Department cannot disclose any further details about the specific impacted communities or those who received a vaccine.
To safeguard public health following a potential measles exposure, DOH staff conduct contact tracing to understand where the individual went in their community while contagious, providing educational resources, performing diagnostic testing, and encouraging isolation for people with infection.
Based on vaccination data from schools across Pennsylvania, nearly 94% of kindergarten students during the 2024-2025 school year had received the two doses of the MMR vaccine to prevent measles. County-level vaccination rates can vary and are published on the Department’s website. For example, Lebanon County’s 2024-2025 kindergarten MMR vaccination rate was 93.2%.
Pennsylvanians who think they may have had measles in the past month are asked to call the Department of Health toll-free at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
