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Measles Kills Pennsylvania Teen, Fourth Death This Year

healthSep 18, 2026·376 words·3 min read

Pennsylvania health officials have confirmed that an unvaccinated 18-year-old from Mifflin County has died of measles complications, making the teenager the fourth person in the state to die from the disease this year. According to the county coroner, the death was caused by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare but severe condition in which the virus triggers inflammation of the brain.

This is the worst year for measles in the United States since 1992. Pennsylvania has had 693 cases in 2026, and the whole country has had more than 3,200. Measles spreads very easily through the air when people cough or sneeze. The MMR vaccine (a vaccine against measles and two other diseases) stops about 97% of cases. But fewer young children are getting it. Some experts say the government has confused people.

Pennsylvania's health leader said the state wants to stop the outbreak. An outbreak is when a disease spreads quickly in one area. The state wants to give people correct information and the vaccine. Many more people got the vaccine in August than usual. A doctor said there is no medicine for measles, so people must avoid contact with sick people.

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