Pennsylvania has requested emergency assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address its measles outbreak but conditioned the request on the federal agency acknowledging four measles-associated deaths reported by the state.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health sent a letter dated September 16 seeking an Epi-Aid deployment, which provides rapid CDC support during outbreaks. Health Secretary Debra Bogen stated in the letter that the CDC's failure to recognize the deaths undermines the state's response efforts. She added that the department would rescind the request if the agency does not transparently communicate information about the fatalities.

As of September 16, Pennsylvania has confirmed 731 measles cases across 38 counties, along with 141 hospitalizations. Four deaths have been linked to the virus, all involving unvaccinated individuals. The most recent two deaths, announced September 15, occurred in Jefferson County and Mifflin County.

The CDC's public dashboard currently lists zero measles deaths for 2026. State officials have notified the agency of the cases, and the CDC has said it is in contact with Pennsylvania health authorities while assessing the deaths under updated federal guidelines that rely on processed death certificate data.

The standoff involves U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously questioned the reported deaths. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called for the CDC to update its records before accepting federal help.

The outbreak marks one of the largest in the United States this year. Only four cases have occurred among vaccinated individuals, representing less than 1 percent of the total. The state had earlier resisted CDC assistance, stating it had the situation under control.

Pennsylvania continues to operate vaccine clinics in communities across affected areas. Officials emphasize that two doses of the measles vaccine provide 97 percent effectiveness against the disease.