CDC deletes two Pennsylvania measles deaths from national data after RFK Jr. questions

September 1, 2026 at 11:21 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The CDC removed two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its national surveillance data on August 30. The agency said available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths. The move follows public criticism of the state's death determinations by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Key Facts

The CDC's website listed 2026 measles deaths as 0 on August 29, then 2 on August 30, before deleting the two deaths by 3:23 pm ET that day.
CDC Director Erica Schwartz, less than a month into the job, ordered the addition of a statement saying available information does not establish measles caused or contributed to the deaths.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested without evidence that Pennsylvania may have fabricated the deaths and announced them with giddy delight.
Both deceased individuals were unvaccinated and from Lancaster County; one was a newborn and the other a child, according to the New York Times.
Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said a pathologist determined the newborn died of a ruptured spleen and did not believe measles played a role.

Data Revisions

The CDC's measles surveillance page changed three times over the weekend of August 29-30. At 2:33 pm ET on August 29, the chart listed total 2026 measles deaths as 0. At 12:09 pm ET on August 30, the chart was updated to list 2 deaths, with a note that health departments make determinations about measles-associated deaths. By 3:23 pm ET on August 30, the two deaths were deleted and replaced with an asterisk referencing a statement that the deaths were not included. The asterisk and statement remained on the page as of Tuesday.

Political Dispute

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly clashed with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro over anti-vaccine rhetoric before the CDC's action. Kennedy shared measles misinformation on social media amid news of the deaths. He suggested without evidence that the state may have fabricated the deaths and that the governor announced them with giddy delight. The CDC's decision to exclude the deaths breaks precedent that states are the arbiters of case and death determinations.

Victim Details

State health officials initially refused to release information about the two people who died, citing privacy concerns. The New York Times reported Tuesday that one of the deceased was a newborn and the other was a child. Both were unvaccinated and from Lancaster County. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni, a Republican first elected in 2007, said a pathologist determined the newborn died of a ruptured spleen and did not believe measles played a role. Outside medical experts criticized the lack of information provided by health officials, saying it left more space for doubt and misinformation.