Pennsylvania issues alert on congenital measles—something US hasn't seen for decades
Summary
Pennsylvania's health department has issued a warning because cases of measles during pregnancy and newborn babies born with measles (congenital measles) are rising. This serious situation has not been seen for decades and is linked to lower vaccination rates in the state.Key Facts
- Pennsylvania reported 1,286 measles cases in 2024 across 42 counties.
- Of these cases, 247 people have been hospitalized and six have died, with one death under investigation.
- There have been 53 reported cases of measles during pregnancy.
- At least one newborn baby died due to congenital measles, with the mother severely ill.
- Measles during pregnancy can cause serious risks like hospitalization, pneumonia, miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm labor.
- The MMR vaccine is not given during pregnancy, but pregnant people exposed to measles can get intravenous immunoglobulin within six days to protect against infection.
- Babies born with congenital measles may have symptoms like fever, jaundice, rash, low blood platelets, pneumonia, and brain complications.
- Such babies need long-term medical follow-up because measles can cause lasting immune and brain problems, including a rare fatal brain disease called SSPE.
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