WEST CHESTER, PA — Measles cases have nearly doubled in number in Chester County over the past two weeks, according to state statistics.
Chester County now has 20 cases of the disease, according to the latest updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
That's up from 11 cases in late July.
"Measles continues to increase in Chester County and so does the need for hospitalization due to complications," the Chester County Health Department said Tuesday, urging the unvaccinated to get their shots.
Officials added that as cases rise, so are complications requiring hospitalization.
Across the state, there have been 35 new cases in the past week, and 176 cases thus far in 2026. Almost all of them (164) have been confirmed since April 1.
While many residents are vaccinated and up to 97 percent immune to the virus, unvaccinated rates have rapidly risen. The CDC says this is why measles has made a comeback after it had been all but obliterated by 2000.
Neighboring counties are also experiencing high rates, including 104 cases in Lancaster and 20 in Lebanon, according to the new Pennsylvania Measles Dashboard.
Measles is highly infectious to those who are not vaccinated or who have not contracted it before, but it is extremely rare for a vaccinated individual to contract it, according to health officials. In the highly unlikely case a vaccinated person does get measles, they usually have milder symptoms.
Symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms, runny nose, red eyes, grey-white spots in the mouth, fever, and more. It's transmitted most commonly through coughing and sneezing.Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected individual leaves that area.
If you develop symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
West Chester Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.