Pennsylvania announces 5th measles-related death as cases approach 1,000

A fifth measles-associated death was recorded in Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Health announced Sept. 30. The department said the individual was unvaccinated. As of Oct. 2, there have been 977 confirmed cases of measles across the state this year. More than 53,000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine were administered statewide in September, more than double the amount in an average month. There have been 3,887 confirmed cases of measles nationwide this year, according to the latest data ) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination status of 95% of cases is unvaccinated or unknown.