Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said the CDC is not to be trusted in sharing information. The CDC’s website had also been edited in ways that raised questions about transparency during the outbreak. At one point, the CDC page referred to two measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania before being changed to say the agency would not count them until additional information was reviewed.
Kennedy acknowledged one of the deaths was due to measles in a recent social media post, but his comments were seen as further undermining public trust. The boy who died was infected with measles, and the virus was listed as a contributing factor on his death certificate. Neither of the victims had been vaccinated, as the first dose is typically given around one year of age. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had earlier questioned Pennsylvania’s reporting of the deaths before acknowledging the coroner’s determination in one of the cases.
The 6-week-old girl had a rare genetic condition called Amish lethal microcephaly, which causes underdeveloped brains and typically short lifespans, but the coroner said measles caused her death. Ivan Miller, the other victim, died from a ruptured spleen after contracting measles. Neither child had received the measles vaccine, which is typically not given until after a baby’s first birthday. The girl was identified as Mary Stoltzfus and died on August 18. Miller died on August 14 shortly after birth.
Governor Shapiro said illness and death from measles are completely preventable through vaccination, and urged families to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. Health officials recommend the routine first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months, although some children between 6 and 11 months can receive an early dose when they face increased risk of measles exposure or before international travel. Neither of the two infants was old enough to receive even the early six-month dose.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak has continued to grow. The state Department of Health reported 624 confirmed cases in 37 counties as of September 9. The outbreak had resulted in 109 hospitalizations and two measles-associated deaths. State officials said more than 4,100 MMR vaccinations had been administered at more than 120 pop-up clinics in affected communities since the outbreak began in late April.
The U.S. has seen a resurgence in measles infections, with the number of cases rising sharply in recent years. The CDC had recorded more than 3,100 measles cases nationwide by early September 2026. That was the highest annual number in more than 35 years.
Experts warn that without continued high vaccination rates, more outbreaks are likely to occur. Two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing the disease, according to the CDC.
The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000. That designation means there was no continuous domestic transmission for at least 12 months. International health officials are scheduled to review the measles elimination status of the United States and Mexico in November 2026.
The situation underscores the importance of public trust in science and health authorities during a health crisis.
IMAGE: January 15, 2019
Harrisburg, PA. Photo: Governor Tom Wolf from Harrisburg, PA / Wikimedia, taken 2019-01-15, CC BY 2.0