Pennsylvania Reports 12 Measles Cases, Outbreak in Lancaster County

Eight cases linked to outbreak in Lancaster County, where state declared outbreak a month ago

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Pennsylvania has reported 12 confirmed cases of measles among state residents, with 8 cases associated with an outbreak in Lancaster County. The state also confirmed 2 cases in Chester County and 4 cases in Montgomery County, some of which were linked to an outbreak at Ave Maria University in Florida. None of the Pennsylvania patients diagnosed with measles had been vaccinated.

Why it matters

Measles cases have been rising in the U.S. in recent years, with major outbreaks occurring in South Carolina and Florida. This outbreak in Pennsylvania highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of highly contagious diseases like measles, especially in communities with lower vaccination rates.

The details

The latest case in Lancaster County was reported last Wednesday, with the three most recent cases there diagnosed in people who were already quarantining after a measles exposure. The Chester County cases were linked to the Lancaster outbreak and an outbreak at Ave Maria University in Florida. The Montgomery County cases were also connected to the Ave Maria University outbreak, with one infected person traveling to the county and later infecting two household members and a person who visited an urgent care at the same time.

  • The state declared a measles outbreak in Lancaster County a month ago, involving 5 cases.
  • The latest case in Lancaster County was reported last Wednesday.
  • The person infected at the urgent care in Montgomery County developed symptoms about 20 days after their exposure.

The players

Pennsylvania Department of Health

The state agency that reported the 12 confirmed measles cases and declared the outbreak in Lancaster County.

Jeanne Franklin

The public health director for Chester County, who confirmed the two measles cases in the county.

Ave Maria University

A small Catholic college in Florida where an outbreak was linked to some of the measles cases in Pennsylvania.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This outbreak in Pennsylvania highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of highly contagious diseases like measles, especially in communities with lower vaccination rates. Health officials are urging physicians to be vigilant in identifying and reporting suspected measles cases to limit further transmission.