C.D.C. Director Challenges Pennsylvania's Report of Two Measles Deaths

Aug. 31, 2026

The new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ordered agency officials to challenge two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania, shunning the agency's normal procedure of accepting data shared by states and amplifying comments made by her boss, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The incident draws the C.D.C. into a highly political disagreement about whether the deaths were a result of measles or merely coincided with the infection, echoing similar disputes over causes of death during the coronavirus pandemic.

It also pits the agency against a state health department, an extraordinary move for the C.D.C. But the episode is emblematic of the Trump administration's continuing tussle with states, particularly those led by Democrats, over health policies and priorities.

"This week's measles outbreaks update will not include the two measles-associated deaths reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Aug. 25," the C.D.C. posted on its website, after Mr. Kennedy, in a social media post, accused the state's Democratic governor of "manipulating" the truth.

One of the two deaths involved a newborn with a ruptured spleen. Details of the second case have not been disclosed, but both people were unvaccinated and both tested positive for the measles virus, according to the Pennsylvania Health Department.

Dr. Erica Schwartz, who has expressed strong, public support of childhood vaccines, was confirmed as C.D.C. director this month, despite persistent questions during her confirmation hearing about her willingness and ability to push back against Mr. Kennedy's actions. She has repeatedly promised to "follow the science" and promised the agency's staff that she was prepared to disagree with her superiors when needed, and that she would work to build trust with state partners.

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