CDC Excludes PA Measles Deaths After RFK Casts Doubt
New CDC Director Erica Schwartz declined to include two Pennsylvania measles deaths in the agency’s weekly tracker, marking the first measles fatalities in the state in 35 years. The decision came after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly cast doubt on whether measles caused the deaths during a Fox News town hall, claiming he had spoken with county officials who disputed the fatalities.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported the deaths on August 25, listing them as “measles-associated.” The CDC’s tracker now contains a note stating the deaths will not be included while the agency reviews additional information, asserting that available data does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths. This decision contradicted the state health department’s own assessment and drew criticism from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who accused RFK Jr. of launching “into a tirade” during their discussion about the cases.
During his Fox News appearance, RFK Jr. claimed he had spoken with a county coroner or commissioner who said there were no measles deaths in Lancaster County. The Republican coroner acknowledged that one fatality, a newborn, tested positive for measles but stated he did not believe the virus played a role in the infant’s death. RFK Jr.’s public doubting of the deaths followed his broader dismissal of measles outbreak concerns, with reporting indicating he questioned whether media outlets accurately reported disease severity.
The Washington Post described Schwartz’s exclusion of the deaths as “highly unusual.” Shapiro objected to RFK Jr.’s suggestion that the country would be “better off” with “natural measles,” highlighting the fundamental disagreement between state officials and federal health leadership over pandemic response protocols and disease prevention strategies.