Pennsylvania records its sixth measles death as CDC still counts only two and the outbreak shows no sign of slowing

A 39-year-old unvaccinated woman from Chambersburg has died from what the Franklin County Coroner's office called "a probable acute cardiac event due to possible complications of the measles," becoming the state's sixth measles-associated fatality this year. Pennsylvania has now recorded 1,136 confirmed cases and 219 hospitalisations — the worst outbreak in the state in over 35 years — while the CDC's own national tally still lists only two Pennsylvania deaths.

The six deaths span four counties: Lancaster (three, including two infants), Mifflin, Jefferson and Franklin.

Pennsylvania logged 157 new cases in a single week, with the state health department urging anyone unvaccinated to get the MMR jab immediately.

Measles can wipe out between 11 and 73% of the body's antibodies, leaving survivors newly vulnerable to other illnesses long after recovery.