Amish country becomes epicenter of U.S. measles disaster as 5 die and cases surge past 1,350

• Pennsylvania has recorded more than 1,350 measles cases this year, marking the worst outbreak in the United States in 35 years.
• Lancaster County, home to the largest Amish population in the US, is the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for more than a third of state infections and three deaths.
• Low vaccination rates among Plain communities and declining general MMR vaccination rates across Pennsylvania have created ideal conditions for the virus to spread.
• Public health experts warn that anyone susceptible to measles across the US is at risk as kindergarten vaccination rates drop below the 95 percent herd immunity threshold.
• Community leaders and doctors report that the outbreak's severity is prompting increased vaccine uptake among both Plain and wider populations.

IN FULL

'No one should feel safe': 5 dead as Amish country measles horror explodes past 1,350 cases