Published: 17:21 BST, 28 August 2026 | Updated: 17:21 BST, 28 August 2026
A hospital in Pennsylvania has locked down its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after a visitor tested positive for measles and the state reported two measles deaths this week.
Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, a 2.5-hour drive outside Philadelphia, said the visitor was in the unit for four days from August 14 to 17 before the diagnosis.
The NICU cares for premature babies and sick infants who need around-the-clock treatment. Considered the sickest patients in a hospital, these individuals are too young to be vaccinated against measles or virtually any other disease.
Under the new rules implemented Monday, only the parents or legal guardians of patients are now permitted to visit the unit.
These visitors must show no signs or symptoms of measles and will be screened upon arrival before being allowed to enter. They are also 'highly encouraged' to wear a surgical mask.
At present, there is no exemption for vaccinated immediate family, such as grandparents, that would allow them to also visit the unit.
The infected visitor is no longer in the unit. It is not clear how long the restrictions will last or whether the visitor passed measles on to anyone else.
The US is currently battling a major measles outbreak, recording 2,777 infections so far this year – the most since 1991.
Shown above is Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, which implemented the restrictions
Pennsylvania is particularly hard-hit, recording the third largest outbreak in the US, with 424 cases and two deaths.
A total of 10 cases have been recorded in the counties surrounding Montour, where the hospital is based. The area has a large Amish and Mennonite population, groups that are historically less likely to be vaccinated against measles and less likely to come forward for testing if they fall sick with the virus.
Pennsylvania recorded two deaths linked to measles this week, marking the first in the nation this year and first in the state in 35 years. They were in Lancaster County, which is at the epicenter of the state's measles outbreak.
Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, the hospital's chief medical officer, said: 'Our teams established entrance screenings to best protect our patients, visitors and staff as measles cases are rising in the area.
'The screening process relies on accurate and complete information being shared at the time of entry.'
