US Reports 178 New Measles Cases as Danville Sites Warn Patients

WHO:

The Guardian - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported U.S. measles case figures; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the U.S. health secretary.

The Guardian - Pennsylvania authorities reported five measles-associated deaths and were investigating a sixth; the CDC reported three measles deaths nationally but did not identify where its third death occurred.

WNEP - Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Healthplex Woodbine notified patients and the public about a potential measles exposure.

WNEP - A patient who visited both Geisinger facilities later tested positive for measles. Geisinger said people at the facilities during the specified windows may have been exposed.

WHAT:

The Guardian - Federal health authorities reported 178 additional U.S. measles cases; the CDC reported 4,588 cases nationally, more than double the 2025 tally.

The Guardian - The CDC reported at least 43 outbreaks. Pennsylvania had 1,338 cases; South Carolina and Utah each reported more than 500.

The Guardian - Measles case tallies may undercount infections. Common symptoms include rash, runny nose, fever, and cough.

The Guardian - One in five unvaccinated people infected with measles is hospitalized; one to three in every 1,000 die of complications. The measles vaccine is 97% effective; reported side effects include injection-site soreness and low-grade fever.

The Guardian - HHS announced proposed changes to vaccine-injury reporting, including allowing doctors to bill for reporting suspected vaccine injuries. VAERS is used by researchers to track rare safety issues and is also cited by anti-vaccine activists.

The Guardian - Kennedy reportedly asked senior CDC officials to remove a measles death from the official tally after questioning whether measles contributed to it, according to Reuters.

The Guardian - Kennedy fired all 17 members of a vaccine advisory board and replaced them with ideologically aligned members; a court blocked the appointments in March.

The Guardian - Kennedy made claims about children receiving more than 90 vaccine doses, vaccines and autism, the MMR vaccine containing “aborted fetal debris,” and vitamin A and cod liver oil helping children with measles. The article says the autism claims conflict with extensive evidence and describes the vitamin A and cod liver oil claims as misleading, citing leading physicians.

WNEP - Geisinger advised people showing symptoms to call ahead before going to a facility.

WHERE:

The Guardian - Pennsylvania had the nation’s worst measles outbreak; the CDC also reported large outbreaks in South Carolina and Utah.

WNEP - Potential exposure locations were Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Healthplex Woodbine in Danville, Pennsylvania.

WNEP - Potential exposure included common areas such as the lobby or pharmacy, and Geisinger Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion.

WHEN:

WNEP - Common-area exposure window: 10:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.; Women’s Health Pavilion exposure window: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHY:

WNEP - Geisinger issued its warning after learning that a patient who visited both facilities tested positive for measles.

HOW:

WNEP - Geisinger said people born before 1957, people who previously had measles, and people who received two MMR vaccine doses are generally at low risk; unvaccinated and/or immunocompromised people face higher risk.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 16:04 UTC)

The CDC reports 4,588 measles cases across the United States, more than double the 2025 tally, with at least 43 outbreaks. Pennsylvania has 1,338 cases and the nation’s largest outbreak; South Carolina and Utah each have more than 500. Pennsylvania authorities report five measles-associated deaths and are investigating a sixth, while the CDC lists three deaths nationally. In Danville, Geisinger warned of possible exposure after a patient who visited its Medical Center and Healthplex Woodbine tested positive. Exposure windows covered common areas from 10:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m., and the Medical Center’s Women’s Health Pavilion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Unvaccinated and immunocompromised people face higher risk. Geisinger advises anyone with symptoms to call ahead before visiting. Measles can cause fever, cough, runny nose and rash; vaccination is 97% effective.