CDC omits Pennsylvania measles deaths from weekly update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday said it would not include two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in the federal agency’s weekly outbreak update, explaining it is still investigating the cause of the deaths.
TL;DR
- The CDC will not include two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in its weekly outbreak update.
- The CDC is still investigating the causes of these deaths, as available information does not confirm measles as the direct cause.
- Pennsylvania state officials reported two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County.
- The county coroner confirmed one death was not directly due to measles, but a newborn infant's ruptured spleen.
- Governor Josh Shapiro stated the fatalities were unvaccinated and linked them to a lack of immunizations.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused Shapiro of prematurely weaponizing fatalities for political gain without clear evidence and violating public health policy.
- Kennedy stated the Lancaster County Coroner has no record of measles deaths, which are required by state law to be reported to the coroner.
- The CDC stressed that accuracy is critical for reliable national data, transparency, and public trust.