(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Health)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) confirmed two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania today. Both of the individuals that passed away were unvaccinated and were residents of Lancaster County. Those were the first deaths related to measles within the state of Pennsylvania in 35 years.

Measles is a virus that is highly contagious and can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including brain swelling and pneumonia, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized. Even though death related to measles is rare, it occurs in one to three patients per 1,000 cases.

Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus stays infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.

People who believe that they were exposed to measles and are experiencing symptoms should either contact their health care provider or call 877-724-3258.