Pennsylvania threatens to pull CDC aid request over disputed measles death counts

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has initiated a request for a CDC emergency Epi-Aid as a measles outbreak spreads to 38 counties, confirming 731 cases and four deaths. In a letter to CDC director Erica Schwartz, Secretary of Health Debra Bogen warned that the state will withdraw the request if the CDC does not publicly acknowledge the four measles-associated fatalities, arguing that non-recognition hampers the response.

The move escalates a dispute between Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has instructed the CDC to omit Pennsylvania’s deaths from the national tally, a step health experts deem unusual. Kennedy has questioned whether the deaths were caused by measles or other conditions, while critics say his stance could downplay the disease’s danger. The outbreak represents one of the most severe measles resurgences in the United States in over thirty years, driven by increasing vaccine hesitancy.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy has blamed the previous administration’s vaccine-skeptical policies for one outlet situation. The CDC and Pennsylvania health officials have not responded to requests for comment.