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U.S. Reaches Highest Number of Measles Deaths in Decades
Confirmed
In Short: Pennsylvania reports two more measles-related deaths, bringing the total to four this year, amid a growing outbreak that includes 693 cases across 38 counties.
Pennsylvania has reported two additional measles-related deaths, bringing the total to four this year, according to state officials. This marks the highest number of measles deaths in the U.S. in decades. The outbreak includes 693 cases across 38 counties, with two deaths reported in August in Lancaster County and two more announced on Tuesday.
The controversy surrounding the deaths has sparked debate, with some questioning the state's determination that measles caused the deaths. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni claimed a pathologist determined the newborn died of a ruptured spleen and not from measles.
The CDC has excluded these deaths from its national data, with reports suggesting that CDC staff were ordered to add an unusual statement to the CDC’s website for measles surveillance data. This has led to accusations of misinformation and potential fabrication of the deaths.
What's confirmed
- That makes four measles-related deaths in the U.S.
- Two other measles-associated deaths among infants in Lancaster were reported in August.
- File - A printout shows how contagious measles is. (Courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Health) From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover?
What's still developing
- If you want to get caught up on the growing measles crisis, some evergreen reading recommendations: Democrats are vowing to aggressively pursue oversight if they win control of the House or Senate in November’s midterm elections.
- “CDC will report measles-caused deaths when the National Center for Health Statistics reports measles as the underlying cause based on death record information submitted by the states,” Kennedy posted on X yesterday.
- WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor “This is a heartbreaking loss for the family and an unfortunate reminder that measles can be a serious and potentially life-threatening disease,” Coroner Greg Furlong said in the post.
- The other fatality was an 18-year-old from Mifflin County, whose cause of death was acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, “a rare and severe neurological complication of measles,” Coroner Andrea Alcalde said in a statement Tuesday.
- “My thoughts are with the two families who lost loved ones to this highly contagious virus, as Pennsylvania faces the worst measles outbreak in more than three decades,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen.
- Public health experts and physicians in Pennsylvania are urging adults and children to get the recommended two-dose vaccination series for measles, mumps and rubella, known as MMR.
- As Pa. measles cases persist, back-to-school vaccine efforts ramp up As measles infections statewide reach nearly 300 cases, public health leaders are looking toward preventing disease in schools this fall.
- The two deaths occurred in Jefferson and Mifflin counties.