Doctors in Pennsylvania say at least six babies have been born with measles, an occurrence rarely seen in the United States, according to NBC News. Two of the infants were sick enough to require intensive care.
Pennsylvania officials report that measles has killed four unvaccinated people in the state in recent weeks, according to STAT. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has separately added one measles death to its national online tracker, marking the first death the agency has tied to the country's 2026 outbreak, according to The Hill.
The CDC's website does not specify when or where the death it recorded occurred, according to The Hill. That update followed weeks of criticism from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, though the specifics of his criticism were not detailed in the available reporting.
STAT describes the current outbreak as the worst in the U.S. since 1991, noting measles is among the most contagious diseases known.
How each side covered it
Left
- NBC News reported that at least six babies in Pennsylvania have been born infected with congenital measles, a condition rarely seen in the U.S.
- NBC News noted two of the infected infants were sick enough to require intensive care admission.
- Left-leaning coverage emphasized alarm among doctors treating the outbreak and the severity of the congenital cases.
“Doctors in Pennsylvania estimate at least six babies have been born with measles” — NBC News
Center
- The Hill reported the CDC added one measles death to its national tracker, the first fatal case tied to the 2026 outbreak acknowledged by the agency.
- The Hill noted Pennsylvania officials have reported four deaths from the outbreak, following weeks of criticism from Gov. Josh Shapiro over CDC reporting.
- STAT reported four unvaccinated people have died from measles in Pennsylvania according to state officials, despite the CDC counter showing only one death.
- STAT described the outbreak as the worst in the U.S. since 1991, calling measles one of the most contagious diseases on the planet.
“CDC adds 1 measles death to US tracker, while Pennsylvania reports disease killed 4” — The Hill
Questions readers ask
What happened in the Pennsylvania measles outbreak?
Doctors in Pennsylvania report at least six babies have been born infected with measles, with two requiring intensive care, according to NBC News. State officials also say the outbreak has killed four unvaccinated people, per STAT.
How many people have died from measles in this outbreak?
Pennsylvania state officials report four deaths among unvaccinated people, according to STAT. Separately, the CDC added one death to its national tracker, described by The Hill as the first the agency has tied to the 2026 outbreak; it's unclear whether this is one of the four Pennsylvania deaths or a distinct case, as sources do not clarify.
Why is congenital measles significant?
NBC News reports that congenital measles, where babies are born already infected, is rarely if ever seen in the United States, making the Pennsylvania cases notable to doctors treating the outbreak.
How does this outbreak compare historically?
STAT reports this is the worst U.S. measles outbreak since 1991, describing measles as one of the most contagious diseases on the planet.
What did Governor Josh Shapiro say about the CDC's response?
According to The Hill, the CDC's tracker update followed weeks of criticism from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, though the source does not detail the specific content of his criticism.
Sources · 3 outlet reports
- NBC NewsLeft-leaningDoctors in Pennsylvania estimate at least six babies have been born with measles
- STATCenterOne of the most contagious diseases on the planet is having its worst U.S. outbreak since 1991
- The HillCenterCDC adds 1 measles death to US tracker, while Pennsylvania reports disease killed 4