Bucks County adult tests positive for measles after travel to central Pennsylvania

A Bucks County adult has been diagnosed with measles following a recent trip to an area of central Pennsylvania hit hard by the disease this year, county health officials announced Monday, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia, 6abc Action News, NBC10 Philadelphia and CBS Philadelphia.

The patient is not considered contagious anymore, health officials said. It is unclear whether the person had been vaccinated, the outlets reported.

According to NBC10 and 6abc, the Bucks County Health Department has alerted the medical offices it knows the patient went to. County staff will assist those offices in contacting anyone there who might have been exposed.

Dr. David Damsker, who leads the county health department, warned that the case may not be the last. "Given the ongoing measles outbreak in parts of Pennsylvania, it is reasonable to expect additional cases may be reported here in Bucks County," Damsker said, according to NBC10 and FOX 29.

Damsker also encouraged residents to get vaccinated. "The most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles is vaccination," he said, as reported by FOX 29. He added that a two-dose course prevents illness at least 97 percent of the time, said immunization levels across the county are generally strong, and suggested that anyone uncertain about their own protection ask a doctor.

Reported totals for the statewide outbreak differ somewhat. NBC10 said officials put Pennsylvania's confirmed count at 1,467 for 2026 as of last week, while 6abc cited a figure above 1,500. Both stations said six deaths linked to measles have occurred in the state this year.

Across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tallied 5,182 or more confirmed cases this year, spanning 45 states plus the District of Columbia, 6abc reported. The station said eight deaths tied to measles have been confirmed nationwide in 2026. Six were in Pennsylvania, among them a Jefferson County resident who had not been vaccinated and whose death was confirmed last week. Roughly 96% of all cases have involved people who either lacked the vaccine or had no known vaccination record, according to CDC figures cited by 6abc.

NBC10 and FOX 29 reported that signs of infection typically show up between 10 and 14 days after contact with the virus. The illness often starts with coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, headache and reddened eyes. A rash then appears near the hairline and face and gradually spreads lower on the body.

Health officials asked people who think they were exposed and intend to see a provider to phone ahead first, so the facility can prepare and protect others.

Compiled by True News from reporting by FOX 29 Philadelphia, 6abc Action News, NBC10 Philadelphia and CBS Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/943