A public dispute has emerged over two reported measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioning the accuracy of the fatalities and Pennsylvania officials defending their findings.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed the two deaths on Tuesday, stating both individuals were unvaccinated. These were the state's first measles-related deaths in 35 years. However, questions arose when the Lancaster County coroner, Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, indicated that one of the deceased, a newborn, died from a lacerated spleen shortly after birth and had tested positive for measles acquired before birth. Diamantoni's office was still investigating the newborn's death and reportedly had no record of the other reported fatality.
Kennedy, in a post on X, alleged that Pennsylvania had not provided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with sufficient information to substantiate the deaths, suggesting they could have been "fabricated." He accused Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his office of "fearmongering, misinformation, finger-pointing and the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain."
Governor Shapiro responded on X, stating Kennedy had "stoked confusion amongst parents and others — and the result has been less protection from measles and more cases." Earlier, at a press conference, Shapiro had emphasized the "real-life consequences" of misinformation about the measles vaccine.
The CDC acknowledged the debate, stating on X that it was "working to determine what actually occurred." The agency noted that the "Governor’s Office has not provided CDC with information relevant to the outbreak and has declined our offers of assistance."
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen disputed the CDC's account, asserting that the deaths were reported to the agency's measles response team early Tuesday morning. She confirmed that state epidemiologists had thoroughly investigated both cases and that both individuals tested positive for measles. The Department of Health clarified that it uses the term "measles-associated" when laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of measles is present, even if measles is not the immediate cause of death identified by a medical certifier.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, explained that measles weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of complications such as pneumonia, which can stem from the virus itself or a secondary bacterial infection. He noted that if measles contributes to death by impacting the immune system or stressing major organs, it would be considered a measles-associated death. Pregnant women, newborns, and young infants are particularly vulnerable to severe measles complications.
Lancaster County is the center of Pennsylvania's current measles outbreak, with 424 confirmed cases and 73 hospitalizations reported as of Friday.