Key facts
- US health officials are not including two recent measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in national counts.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated there have been three measles deaths in America over the past decade.
- The CDC has delayed its weekly measles death update, listing the number as zero while reviewing the Pennsylvania cases.
- Former CDC official Debra Houry described the handling of the Pennsylvania deaths as highly unusual.
- The mother of one deceased infant was severely ill with measles during pregnancy.
Top US health officials and government agencies are currently not including two recent measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in their national counts, a move described as highly unusual by former CDC chief medical officer Debra Houry. This contrasts with the handling of three measles deaths reported in Texas and New Mexico last year.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), recently stated in an interview that there have been only three measles deaths in America over the past decade, comparing this to deaths from "food-induced illness." He suggested that media and politicians are attempting to "scare us about infectious disease" and that attention should be redirected to food-borne diseases.
The CDC posted a note on Friday indicating it was delaying its weekly update on measles deaths, keeping the number at zero. The agency stated it will not include the two deaths reported by Pennsylvania "while CDC reviews additional information regarding the circumstances and causes of death," adding that "available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths or whether the individuals died from other causes while infected with measles."
Houry noted that this review process is not typical, as states usually notify the CDC of reportable cases, and the CDC does not typically review or adjudicate them unless assistance is requested. She suggested this unusual approach could undermine the collaborative relationship between the CDC and states.
An Amish couple in Lancaster County reported their newborn son died immediately after birth, with the mother severely ill with measles and going into labor a month early. The baby was born without breathing and could not be resuscitated. The mother, who was pregnant, was unable to get vaccinated. Kennedy had previously praised the Amish of Lancaster County for not vaccinating their children.