Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly challenged the accuracy of two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania officials last month, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to exclude them from the national tally.

The deaths occurred in Lancaster County and involved an unvaccinated adult and a newborn, both of whom tested positive for measles. Pennsylvania health officials described them as the state's first measles-related fatalities in 35 years and the first such U.S. deaths reported in 2026. State authorities confirmed the individuals were unvaccinated amid a surge that has produced nearly 400 cases in Pennsylvania and over 2,700 nationwide this year.

Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni stated that the newborn died from a ruptured spleen and internal hemorrhage, and a pathologist did not link the death directly to measles, though the virus was detected in lung tissue and appeared on the death certificate as a contributing condition. Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen maintained that both cases were measles-associated after review by the state's epidemiology team.

Kennedy, on social media and in interviews, suggested the deaths may have been announced prematurely or even fabricated, citing conflicting information from state officials. He also criticized Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. The CDC, under new Director Erica Schwartz, delayed its weekly update and added a note stating that available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths. The agency set the 2026 national measles death count to zero.

The decision breaks from historical practice where states determine case and death classifications. Former CDC officials described the move as highly unusual. The CDC noted discrepancies and thanked Kennedy for raising questions about the cases. Pennsylvania officials have said they remain in contact with federal staff on the outbreak.

The broader context includes declining vaccination rates linked to higher case counts, with 2026 totals already the highest since 1991. Kennedy has emphasized the need for precise federal reporting on vaccine-preventable diseases.