Pennsylvania

Measles in Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh stays clear, two cases emerge near Philadelphia

Published

12 months ago

March 17, 2025

Measles in Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh stays clear, two cases emerge near Philadelphia

Philadelphia health officials reported a measles case last week, marking the second known Pennsylvania infection this year after an earlier case was reported in Montgomery County. And though Western Pennsylvania has not reported any measles infections, the Allegheny County Health Department is urging residents to stay vigilant.

“We have alerted all of the providers in the area to be on the lookout for measles because there are a lot more cases in the U.S. this year than there have been in recent years,” said Dr. Kristen Mertz, an epidemiologist at the Allegheny County Health Department.

So far in 2025, there have been at least 301 confirmed cases reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most infections tie back to outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico, where more than 280 cases have been reported. Two unvaccinated people — one in Texas and one in New Mexico — have died from measles-related causes.

Some experts suggest the case count could be higher. CDC data tends to trail behind real-time case counts due to reporting delays and not all cases of measles wind up in a doctor’s office, meaning medical providers may not capture every case.

Still, the 301 cases reported by the CDC late last week tops the total for all of last year. The CDC reported 285 measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in a Chicago migrant shelter that sickened 60.

Most cases are in people who have not been vaccinated against the virus. Children ages 5 to 19 account for the largest share of cases at 42%, closely followed by young children under the age of five at 34% of cases. Most of those hospitalized are under the age of 5, according to CDC data.

The current measles outbreak is the country’s largest in six years. Measles cases were the worst in three decades in 2019 when 1,274 cases were reported. A California man died from measles complicated by meningitis during that outbreak.

So far this year, two people are believed to have died in connection to measles infections. Texas officials reported last month that an unvaccinated child died of the virus after being hospitalized in Lubbock. New Mexico is investigating the death of an unvaccinated Lea County resident who was discovered to have a measles infection postmortem.

What to look out for

Though measles is often associated with the red, blotchy rash that appears on the face before spreading downward over the rest of the body, the infection is caused by a virus that first infects the respiratory tract. Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. Those symptoms don’t typically appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure.

“I think a lot of people just think of measles as a fever and a rash, but it does have these serious complications,” Mertz said.

Those complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis, which is the swelling of the brain. About 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles in the U.S. are hospitalized. A bout of measles can also wreak havoc on the immune system, making those who get sick more susceptible to other diseases.

There is no specific measles treatment, so medical providers often prioritize alleviating symptoms and preventing complications. Mertz said the best course of action is to prevent measles altogether with a vaccine.

If signs of measles appear, Mertz urges residents to wait before rushing to the hospital or their primary care doctor’s office. Because the virus is so contagious, special precautions need to be taken to avoid spreading the virus.

“You don’t want to just show up in an emergency room or an urgent care or a doctor’s office,” she said. “It’s always best to call ahead so that the facility can make arrangements for you to come straight to a room and not infect people in the waiting room because a lot of times that’s how measles spreads.”

Though no cases have been reported in Allegheny County, Mertz said the health department is prepared to act if one arises. The county will trace the history of an infected person to find potential exposure sites and warn those who may have been exposed — the county handled COVID-19 infections similarly during the height of the pandemic. Identifying people who may have been exposed to the virus is a “labor intensive” process, she said.

Measles begins as a respiratory infection and particles of the virus can linger in the air up to two hours after an infected person has left the room.

If someone has been exposed and has not gotten a vaccine, Mertz suggests getting the MMR shot within 72 hours of exposure. People may also seek antibody treatment for measles within six days of an exposure.

Declining vaccination rates

Measles is a highly contagious virus, but it is also vaccine preventable. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 after a high percentage of people had received the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Doctors recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine, which usually protects people against measles and rubella for life. Immunity against mumps may decrease over time.

But vaccination rates have been declining over the last decade.

State-required vaccinations declined from 95% to 93% from the 2019-2020 school year to the 2022-2023 school year. To achieve herd immunity — which offers protections for those who cannot be vaccinated — research suggests that 95% of a population need to be vaccinated or protected by a prior infection.

Vaccination rates have dipped in certain communities around Pittsburgh, too. According to Allegheny County’s school immunization report last year, the percentage of students with all immunizations required for school entry was 94.6% in December 2023, down from 95.1% the year before.

Kids in public schools reported higher rates of vaccination than those in private, charter and parochial or religious schools.

Public schools — which account for nearly 83% of the total students in the county — reported 95.4% of measles immunity coverage for kindergarten students during the 2023 to 2024 school year. Kindergarteners are required to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

But private and parochial schools reported lower vaccine uptake among their kindergarteners, all falling below the recommended threshold for herd immunity. Private schools in Allegheny County reported 93.9% coverage while charter schools reported 92.3% coverage. Parochial or religious schools reported the lowest percentage of kindergarteners immunized against measles at 89.5%.

Both measles cases reported in Pennsylvania this year were in children who traveled outside the U.S. and returned with an infection. Mertz urged families traveling abroad to ensure everyone is vaccinated against the virus to avoid infection and bringing it back home to others.

“Most measles cases we’re seeing are coming from people traveling,” she said. “And really the best prevention is to make sure you’re up to date on the vaccine.”

Source link

Pennsylvania

Top Pennsylvania 2027 quarterback enrolls into Coatesville (Pa.)

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Top Pennsylvania 2027 quarterback enrolls into Coatesville (Pa.)

One of the top 2027 Pennsylvania high school quarterbacks from the 2025 season has announced that he’s leaving for a new home.

Per an announcement by Class of 2027 signal caller Mikal Shank Jr., the quarterback has left Harrisburg (Pa.) and is now at Coatesville (Pa.) for his senior season. Shank Jr. last season started 14 games for the Cougars and is arguably one of the state’s top returning players behind center heading into the 2026 campaign.

Source link

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Is Pennsylvania the most wrestling-centric state in the country? Does the Keystone State have the most talent? Or even the top talent? Is it harder to win a state title there than anywhere else?

These all are terrific questions, and the answers may vary depending on who you ask and where they’re from, much like our nation’s great pizza debate, where the answers will vary by region.

What we do know for sure, is that Pennsylvania is well-represented in the 2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings, but with the 2026 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships on the horizon, where do the competitors rank amongst their peers?

If you follow high school wrestling, you’ve probably already heard many of the names, whether it was at past PIAA events, national tournaments, international competition, college recruiting news or signings, etc.

Now, here they are listed by weight class in FloWrestling’s latest Pennsylvania-only rankings.

Among the most recognizable are Bishop McCort senior Bo Bassett (152 pounds), his brother and teammate Melvin Miller (172 pounds) and Adam Waters (189 pounds) from rival school Faith Christian Academy.

As you get ready to see who takes home the titles at the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships, set for March 5-7 at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, here’s a look at where everyone falls in the pecking order:

What Are The Weight Classes For High School Wrestling In Pennsylvania?

Boys: 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285
Girls: 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA State Championships

As of Feb. 22, 2026

Boys

Girls

When Are The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships will take place March 5-7, live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app.

The first girls wrestling champions in PIAA action were determined in 2024.

The road back to GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, began with regional competition across 12 sites (eight boys, four girls) in February (Feb. 20-21; Feb. 22; Feb. 27-28; Feb. 28)

Among the highlights at the 2025 event was Bassett winning his second individual PIAA state championship and helping Bishop McCort to a Class AA runner-up finish behind Faith Christian.

Read more: 2025 PIAA Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets

How To Watch The 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships

Live coverage of the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships on March 5-7 will be broadcast on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, with news, notes, stats and more available on both platforms.

Archives will be available immediately following the conclusion of each match.

If you’re going to be in the area and want to catch the action in person, click here for spectator and ticket information.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule & Brackets

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Brackets

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the brackets for the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships:

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule

Here’s a look at when everything is going down:

All Times Eastern

Wednesday, March 4

4-7 p.m. – Media registration
4-7 p.m. – School registration (AA/Girls/AAA)
4-7 p.m. – Qualifying wrestlers’ workout (AA/Girls/AAA) (six mats)
6 p.m. – Officials’ meeting

Thursday, March 5 (Session 1)

7:30 a.m. – Media registration
7:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
7:30 a.m. – Late school registration (AA)
7:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
8 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
9 a.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AA), six mats (52/104 matches)
12:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (AA), six mats
12:30 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
12:30 p.m. – Late school registration (Girls)
12:45 p.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
1 p.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
2 p.m. – First round (Girls), six mats (104 matches)
3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
3 p.m. – Late school registration (AAA)
3:15 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
4:30 p.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AAA), six mats (52/104 matches)
8 p.m. – First-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)

Friday, March 6 (Session 2/Session 3)

6:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
6:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
7 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
8 a.m. – Quarterfinals (AA), three mats (52 matches)
8 a.m. – Second-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:15 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
10:30 a.m. – Third-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:30 a.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
10:45 a.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
11:45 a.m. – Quarterfinals (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
12:45 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
1 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Quarterfinals (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
4:45 p.m. – Third-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)
6:15 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
7 p.m. – Semifinals (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (26/26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Fourth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Third-round consolations (Girls), two mats (26 matches)

Saturday, March 7 (Session 4/Session 5)

8 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:15 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:30 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:45 a.m. – Skin condition check, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9 a.m. – Weigh-in, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9:30 a.m. – Fifth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9:30 a.m. – Fourth-round consolations (Girls), 2 mats (26 matches)
11:30 a.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (39/39/39 matches)
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
3:40 p.m. – Parade of Champions (AA/Girls/AAA)
4 p.m. – Championship Finals (AA/Girls/AAA), 1/1/1 mats (13/13/13 matches)

When Was The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships took place Feb. 6-7 at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and included 20 teams that survived the preliminary and first round of the tournament, which was held Feb. 3 at host schools across the state.

The advancing teams made their way to Johnstown for two more days of intense competition, with the 1st Summit Arena hosting the quarterfinals through the championship matches.

In Pennsylvania this year, there were 475 schools participating in boys wrestling.

They were divided into two classifications – 228 schools in AA and 247 schools in AAA – which are further split into 12 districts. Class AA is for schools with 1-308 male enrollees, and Class AAA wrestling includes schools with 309-9999 male students.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships Schedule & Brackets

Did You Know: PIAA Wrestling Has A Long History

The first state wrestling championships in Keystone State happened in 1938, while the girls were added to the action in 2024. The PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships debuted in 1999.

There are 14 four-time individual state champions in Pennsylvania. Another 30 have won three times.

2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings

Top 20 as of Feb. 18, 2026

Curious about how the top wrestlers from each state stack up against competitors from across the country?

Click here to see the latest high school rankings from FloWrestling.

FULL DUAL: Bishop McCort vs. Faith Christian | 2026 PIAA AA Team State Finals

Faith Christian has been dominant in team wrestling in Pennsylvania, and Bishop McCort keeps falling just short.

Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling officially has merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform.

Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Join The State Wrestling Conversation On Social

Source link

Pennsylvania

Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

A man has been cited after police said he drove a vehicle into a frozen pond at a country club in Pennsylvania, left the scene, then spent the night in a hotel.

According to the East Lampeter Township Police Department, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, around 10:38 a.m., officers were called to the Lancaster Country Club after receiving reports about a vehicle in a pond.

Police said that, through an investigation, it was learned that Sung Chun, a 50-year-old man from Hoboken, New Jersey, had driven onto the property the day before around 8:30 p.m., crossed portions of the golf course, and ultimately ended up in a pond.

Chun then exited the vehicle and walked away without reporting the incident and spent the night at a nearby hotel, according to police.

Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Police said Chun returned to the location while police were on scene investigating the incident and was ultimately cited with “Trespass by Motor Vehicle.”

Source link