Measles Case Count Rises To 56 In Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA — The ongoing measles outbreak continues to impact Chester County, with 56 cases now confirmed, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

That's an increase of 18 cases over the past two weeks, as Chester County remains the hardest hit county in the state outside of Lancaster and Mifflin counties.

Statewide, the total confirmed number of cases has risen to 577, up by 237 from two weeks ago.

Two people have died already this year from measles, both in Lancaster County.

County health officials urge residents to get vaccinated or to check on their immunity status.

Healthcare providers can check for vaccination status even if you don't have your healthcare records by conducting a measles titer, a blood test that checks for measles antibodies.

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.

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.

To learn more about getting vaccinated in Chester County, see here.