CDC Excludes Two Reported Measles Deaths from National Data Update

<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has excluded two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania health officials from its latest update of national measles data. This decision raises questions about the accuracy of the state's death determinations and marks a departure from the precedent that states are responsible for case and death determinations, rather than the CDC.</p><p>The New York Times reported that CDC Director Erica Schwartz, who has been in the position for less than a month, ordered staff to include a statement on the CDC's website regarding measles surveillance data. This statement indicates that the update will not include the Pennsylvania deaths and notes, "At this time, 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."</p><p>The Washington Post reported that the CDC had altered the information on its website multiple times over the weekend. On August 29 at 2:33 PM ET, the website indicated that there were "0" total measles deaths for 2026. By August 30 at 12:09 PM ET, the chart was updated to show "2" total deaths. A note was included stating, "Health departments make determinations about measles-associated deaths and share relevant information with CDC." However, by 3:23 PM ET on August 30, the chart was revised again to remove the two deaths, replacing them with an asterisk referencing the statement about their exclusion. The asterisk and statement remain on the website as of Tuesday.</p>