CDC Questions Pennsylvania's Reported Measles Deaths

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has opted not to include two measles deaths reported by Pennsylvania health officials in its latest national data update. This decision publicly challenges the accuracy of the state's death determinations, breaking from the precedent where states typically act as the arbiters of case and death classifications, not the CDC.

According to The New York Times, the CDC's new director, Erica Schwartz, is behind the decision. Less than a month into her role, Schwartz reportedly instructed CDC staff to add a specific statement to the measles surveillance data on the agency's website. This statement explains that the reported deaths will not be included, noting 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."

The Washington Post reported that the CDC altered the information on its website multiple times over a single weekend. Initially, the chart listed zero measles deaths for the current year. It was later updated to show two deaths before being reverted, with the two cases marked by an asterisk referring to the statement about their exclusion. This fluctuation has raised questions about data accuracy and reporting protocols.

The agency's actions have drawn attention, prompting discussions regarding the processes for verifying and reporting infectious disease mortality data between state and federal health authorities.