CDC, Pennsylvania clash over measles deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is disputing two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania and excluding them from its official weekly tally of deaths, a radical departure from the agency’s normal practice of accepting and including a state’s data. 

The decision to question Pennsylvania’s classification of measles deaths represents a key test for new CDC Director Erica Schwartz, who took charge of the agency this month amid a pledge to operate independently from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

It also inserts the nation’s public health agency into the middle of a political feud between Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and Kennedy about whether the deaths were a result of measles, or whether measles was present but unrelated.  

The deaths were not included on the CDC’s website, which is typically updated on Fridays. The update was delayed until Sunday, when the agency’s website was edited multiple times.  

“This week’s measles outbreaks update will not include the two measles-associated deaths reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on August 25 while CDC reviews additional information regarding the circumstances and causes of death,” an asterisk on the agency website states. “At this time, available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths or whether the individuals died from other causes while infected with measles. CDC will update the national count as additional information becomes available.” 

Details on the two deaths released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) were vague, leaving a void of information. The state first disclosed the deaths last Tuesday, and Shapiro held a press conference to discuss them shortly afterwards. 

One of the two deaths involved a newborn with a ruptured spleen. Details of the second case have not been disclosed. The only other details shared were that the patients were........

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