Pennsylvania measles cases near 1,000 as death toll is disputed

Pennsylvania's measles outbreak neared 1,000 cases on Friday, with the state health department reporting 977. All five people who have died from the disease in Pennsylvania this year were unvaccinated, including a Lancaster County resident whose death was reported Wednesday. Nationally, the CDC has recorded 3,887 measles cases this year as of October 1.

The death toll itself is disputed: the CDC has confirmed only two measles-related deaths nationwide this year, without naming the states, and says it is working with state epidemiologists on a standard definition for measles-related deaths. Pennsylvania remains the center of the national surge. Measles is preventable with the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

Sources: Reuters