A newborn and child reportedly died of measles; CDC isn't counting them

Key Points:

• The CDC has excluded two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its national data update, publicly questioning the state's death determinations—an unprecedented move challenging state authority in such cases.
• CDC Director Erica Schwartz, newly appointed, ordered a statement on the CDC website clarifying that available information does not confirm whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths.
• The deaths involved a newborn and a child from Lancaster County, both unvaccinated; controversy surrounds the newborn's death due to a ruptured spleen, with experts asserting measles likely played a critical role.
• Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fueled misinformation about the deaths, accusing Pennsylvania officials of fabricating the cases, while state health officials maintain they followed proper reporting protocols.
• Experts warn that the CDC's public dispute with Pennsylvania health officials and delays in transparent reporting risk undermining public trust and exacerbate challenges in the US public health system.