Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed two Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths from its national tally while it reviews the cases, an unusual reversal that came days after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly suggested the deaths might have been “fabricated.”
Pennsylvania reported the deaths Aug. 25 after state epidemiologists confirmed both unvaccinated Lancaster County residents had tested positive for measles. The CDC initially acknowledged the deaths, offered condolences and encouraged vaccination.
After Kennedy raised doubts about the reported deaths, the CDC changed its position. By August 30, the CDC dashboard excluded both cases, stating that current information did not confirm whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths.
Part of the disagreement is about terminology. In Pennsylvania, anyone who dies while infected with measles is counted as a ‘measles-associated death,’ even if measles was not the direct cause. Infectious disease experts have explained that this is standard practice in public health and does not contradict a coroner listing a different immediate cause of death.
One victim was a newborn whose autopsy identified a ruptured spleen as the immediate cause. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said measles was listed on the death certificate as a contributing condition, although he personally disputes that it contributed. The infant had measles infection in the lungs acquired before birth.
Kennedy still referred to the cases as ‘so-called measles deaths’ and accused Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration of possibly fabricating them. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said both infections were fully investigated before being reported and denied the CDC’s claim that Pennsylvania had not shared information.
The controversy comes during the worst U.S. measles surge in decades, with more than 2,900 cases nationally and roughly 500 in Pennsylvania this year.
Shapiro has said that Kennedy is spreading vaccine misinformation and undermining public trust. Kennedy, who has a long history of vaccine skepticism, has previously claimed that measles could be treated with ‘chicken soup and vitamin A.’ In reality, there is no cure for measles, and vaccination is the main way to prevent it.
The CDC says the Pennsylvania deaths will remain excluded while its review continues.
Sources
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