Mifflin County Logs Pennsylvania's Highest Measles Rate With 76 New Cases in 2 Weeks
Updated
Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Oct 18
Mifflin County Logs Pennsylvania's Highest Measles Rate With 76 New Cases in 2 Weeks
3 articles · Updated · The Philadelphia Inquirer · Oct 18
Summary
Mifflin County, a rural Pennsylvania county of 46,000, now has the state's highest measles infection rate after confirming 193 cases since July, including 76 in the past two weeks.
Low vaccination and muted public concern have helped fuel the outbreak: seventh-grade measles coverage is about 77%, and the virus has spread widely in the county's roughly 5,500-member Amish community.
The outbreak has turned deadly and severe. An 18-year-old Amish woman treated at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital died last month, the state's fourth measles-related death, and nearly 1 in 5 Pennsylvania cases has led to hospitalization.
State health officials say they are distributing vaccine information and working with local providers, while Mifflin clinicians gave nearly 800 MMR shots in August and September, up from the usual 50 to 75 a month.
Even with that pickup, doctors warn many residents remain vulnerable to a virus that infects 9 of 10 unvaccinated people exposed, raising concern as cold-and-flu season approaches.