Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced on Tuesday that — for the first time in 35 years — two unvaccinated residents of the Commonwealth died “measles-associated deaths.” On Tuesday morning, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed these deaths in a press event at Lancaster General Health’s Women Babies Hospital in Lancaster. “If you’re fully vaccinated, you’re not getting the measles,” said Shapiro. The press event is available to view here. During his remarks, Shapiron noted that, so far this year, the Department of Health has confirmed 393 cases in 28 Pennsylvania counties. “That is the highest number of measles cases since 1992,” he said. Though, Shapiro also said, each of these nearly 400 cases involved individuals that were not fully vaccinated. “I want to be clear, this illness and death from measles is completely preventable,” Shapiro said. “We already have to the tools to protect ourselves and our families from this disease.” Shapiro said that the MMR vaccine is the best protection available for the measles virus. “Thanks to science, we have a vaccine that can keep us safe from measles and provide a lifetime of protection,” said Shapiro, noting that if 95 percent of a community is vaccinated against the disease, it effectively prevents the spread of measles entirely. That, he said, protects those who may not be able to be vaccinated otherwise. “It is really important to protect all the people who can’t get vaccinated,” he said. “We all can do our part to protect them.” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said in a statement that the measles disease was largely eliminated across Pennsylvania and residents should be aware that vaccines are “safe and provide the best protection we have against measles.” “My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Bogen said. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness. We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles.” Léelo en español aquí Officials did not reveal the identities of the two residents that died, nor did the Department of Health immediately say when they died. The Pennsylvania Department of Health noted that both were residents of Lancaster County. Officials also noted these were the first measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years. “The best protection against measles is getting fully vaccinated,” state officials said in a statement. “The MMR vaccine, administered over two doses, boosts a person’s immune system and provides 97% lifetime protection.” Officials also said that measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious short- and long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling, with nearly 20% of people who contract measles being hospitalized. The Department of Health said deaths related to measles are rare and occur in one to three patients per 1,000 cases. What to know about measles Measles spreads when a person who is infected breathes, coughs or sneezes, officials said. The Department of Health said that the virus remains infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after the person with infection leaves the area. The Department of Health said to be alert for: Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). The measles rash follows a few days later, starting on the head and spreading downward. Because early symptoms look similar to other respiratory viral infections, it is important to contact a health care provider early if someone has these symptoms or may have been exposed to measles. Symptoms can start 7 to 21 days after exposure. Without proper protection or supportive care, measles can be deadly. People who believe they were exposed to measles, and are experiencing symptoms, should contact their health care provider or call the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258). This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less