Two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania sparked political debate

Pennsylvania health officials reported the first measles-related deaths in years. The deceased were two unvaccinated locals, and Gov. Josh Shapiro said the deaths could have been prevented by vaccines. However, the statement was immediately criticized by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Kennedy questioned the role of measles by suggesting the deaths might have been fabricated.

Experts say this political dispute distracts from the rise in measles cases due to vaccination rates falling below 95%. ABD had eliminated measles in 2000 thanks to high vaccination rates, but now the vaccination rate has fallen below the necessary threshold. How measles deaths should be defined in Pennsylvania is being debated; Dünya Sağlık Örgütü counts deaths occurring within a month of a positive measles test and outbreak, if there is no other clear cause. The Lancaster County coroner found a measles infection in a baby but determined the death was due to a spleen rupture and not the virus; the second death remains under investigation.

CDC did not update the national measles count; the reason for the reported delay was not explained. Dr. Paul Offit said the expected measles death rate is 1/1000 and that the two deaths in Lancaster County among about 400 cases indicate many unreported infections. Offit warned that vaccination efforts must be increased to prevent the spread of measles with school reopenings; Dr. Amesh Adalja suggested keeping politics away from health explanations.