CDC Excludes Pennsylvania Measles Deaths from National Data

<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not including two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania health officials in its latest update of national measles data. This decision challenges the state's determinations regarding the deaths, which is a departure from the usual practice where states determine case and death counts.</p><p>The New York Times reported that CDC Director Erica Schwartz, who has been in the position for less than a month, instructed CDC staff to include a statement on the CDC's website regarding measles surveillance data. The statement indicates that the update will not reflect the Pennsylvania deaths and adds, "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 noted that the CDC modified the information on its website several times over the weekend. On August 29 at 2:33 PM ET, the website indicated that there were "0" measles deaths for 2026. This was updated on August 30 at 12:09 PM ET to reflect "2" deaths, accompanied by a note stating that health departments determine measles-associated deaths and share information with the CDC. By 3:23 PM ET on August 30, the chart was revised again to remove the two deaths, replacing them with an asterisk that referred to the statement about the exclusion of the deaths. The asterisk and statement remain on the website as of Tuesday.</p>