A case of measles has been confirmed in Western Pennsylvania.
A statement from the Chief Medical Officer at Independence Health System, Dr. Michael Fiorina, verifies a laboratory-confirmed case of measles in Butler County.
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Fiorina says the patient was seen at Sarver FasterCare and at their primary care provider’s office.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has been notified of the measles case and contact tracing activities for anyone who was possibly exposed are underway.
Fiorina says the patient is quarantining at home and is following public health guidance. It wasn’t specified if the patient was unvaccinated.
Right now, Fiorina says there’s no “indication of any broader risk beyond those identified through the contact tracing process.
The confirmation of a local measles case comes on the same day that state officials say two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died from measles-associated causes. These are the first measles-related deaths recorded in Pennsylvania in 35 years.
It also comes a few days after a UPMC Children’s Hospital patient tested positive for measles after being in the emergency department on Aug. 12 and 18. That individual was unvaccinated and is not from Allegheny County.
There is “no ongoing risk” of contracting measles at Children’s Hospital because of this patient, a hospital spokesperson previously said.
Currently, there are no confirmed measles cases in Allegheny County.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through breaths, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and irritated eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the head and spreads downward. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure.
Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of infected individuals requiring hospitalization.
The state has confirmed 393 measles cases across 29 counties thus far in 2026. Health officials emphasized that receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine provides 97% lifetime protection against the virus.
State health officials advised anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting exposure to contact a health care provider or call the Department of Health toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).
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