Child among 2 being treated for measles in Lehigh County, health officials say
Saint Luke's Hospital in the Lehigh Valley is treating a pediatric patient for measles.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Lehigh County confirmed its first two measles cases amid a statewide surge in Pennsylvania.
Saint Luke's Hospital says a child is being treated at one of its facilities.
We do not have information on the second patient.
A hospital spokesperson says this marks the first measles case for the hospital system in recent memory.
There is no word on whether the pediatric patient was vaccinated.
This comes as measles cases across the country, and here in Pennsylvania, are on the rise.
There have been more than 170 cases of the viral disease reported across Pennsylvania.
An Associated Press report from late July noted that the number of measles cases in 2026 had already surpassed the record-breaking tally for all of 2025.
2026 has easily become the U.S.'s worst year for measles since 1991, as major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona have sickened hundreds and smaller clusters of cases sparked in other states.
Doctors say the best way to prevent measles is with the MMR vaccine. Studies have shown it is 97% effective at preventing infection.
