In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the number of measles cases has surpassed 1,350 this year—the highest figure among all U.S. states. More than a third of those affected reside in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Lancaster County is home to the largest Amish population in the United States, and it is precisely here that the country’s most severe measles outbreak in 35 years has emerged.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, a leading physician warned, “Anyone in the United States who is at risk of contracting the measles virus—those who have not been vaccinated or have never had the disease before—cannot consider themselves safe. No one is safe.”
Vaccination rates have long been low among the Amish population, and a declining trend in vaccination is also being observed within the general public. This has created an environment conducive to the spread of this highly contagious virus—a development particularly striking given that measles was officially declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Local community leaders fear that the actual number of cases is significantly higher than official figures, as many individuals who contract measles do not seek medical attention.
According to the state’s Department of Health, three deaths linked to measles have occurred in Lancaster County, with two additional deaths reported in other counties.
The Amish and conservative Mennonite communities have been the most severely affected by this outbreak. Due to their simple lifestyles, modest attire, and limited use of technology, these groups are collectively referred to as “Plain communities.”
However, vaccination rates and attitudes toward vaccination vary within these communities. Cultural practices and long-standing habits—rather than religious prohibitions—are the primary reasons for their reluctance to get vaccinated.
Previously, in 2025, measles outbreaks occurred among Mennonite communities in various parts of the United States, including Texas. This year, cases of measles have been reported in the majority of U.S. states. Although members of the Plain community do not participate in many societal activities, they are not entirely isolated. They have regular contact with the general public in various settings, such as at markets for agricultural produce or in doctors’ offices. Consequently, the renewed interest in vaccination that has emerged within these groups—spurred by the impact of an outbreak—has become significant for the broader society as well.
