Pennsbury Outlines Measles Protocols As PA Cases Surge

The Pennsbury School District is advising families about what steps it would take if a student or staff member were suspected of having measles as cases continue to rise across Pennsylvania.

There are no confirmed measles cases in Bucks County as of this week, according to county and state health officials.

District officials recently met with the Bucks County Department of Health to review protocols for suspected or confirmed cases as the new school year begins.

As of Wednesday, the state health department reported 540 confirmed measles cases in 36 Pennsylvania counties in 2026. That compares with 16 cases statewide in 2025.

There have been 43 new cases since Monday, according to state officials.

As of Wednesday, the state has reported 91 hospitalizations and two “measles-associated” deaths this year.

There remains limited details on the deaths, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Lancaster, Chester and Mifflin counties have reported the highest number of cases, according to state health officials.

As part of Pennsbury’s protocol, a suspected measles case involving a student or staff member could result in the individual being removed from the school setting while the district contacts the Bucks County Department of Health and consults with its district physician.

The district also may conduct contact tracing with public health officials and provide information and guidance to people who may have been exposed.

Families would be notified if their child were identified as potentially exposed and would receive guidance about any necessary next steps.

In some exposures, public health officials may require people who are not considered immune to remain home for up to 21 days following their last exposure.

Any decision to exclude someone from school would be made in consultation with public health officials based on the circumstances of the exposure and the person’s immunity status, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said.

Pennsbury is encouraging families to check that their children’s measles vaccinations are up to date and keep vaccination or immunity records readily available.

Families with questions about vaccination or immunity status are advised to contact their healthcare provider.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said more than 3,700 MMR vaccinations have been administered at more than 100 pop-up clinics in affected communities since the outbreak began in late April. State health center staff have administered more than 5,700 MMR doses to residents statewide this year.

Health care providers also have reported increased demand for the vaccine, state officials said.

Pennsylvania providers typically administer about 25,000 MMR doses in a month, but more than 46,000 doses were administered statewide in August.

The MMR vaccine is given in a two-dose series. The Pennsylvania Department of Health says two doses provide about 97 percent protection against measles, while one dose provides about 93 percent protection.

Pennsbury is also asking parents to contact a health care provider if their child develops symptoms consistent with measles or may have been exposed. Because of the virus’s contagious nature, families should notify the health care provider before arriving at a medical office or facility so precautions can be taken.

LevittownNow.com reviewed vaccination rates of students in Bucks County last month and found the immunizations against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) rate averaged 95.6 percent in Bucks County, which is down from 97.6 percent during the 2019-2020 school year.

Medical experts classify a 95 percent MMR immunization rate as the “herd immunity” level needed to stop community transmission.

State policy requires students entering kindergarten to have two MMR doses, but there are exemptions granted for medical reasons, religious beliefs, or strong moral and philosophical convictions.

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that begins on the head and spreads downward. Symptoms generally develop seven to 14 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days to appear.

People who believe they have been exposed and are experiencing symptoms can also contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s toll-free hotline at 877-PA-HEALTH (877-724-3258).

The district said it will continue monitoring the situation and communicating with the Bucks County Department of Health and will provide families with updates if developments affect Pennsbury schools.