New CDC director questions Pennsylvania's report of 2 'measles deaths'

CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz.

The new director of the CDC, less than a month into the job, directed officials at her agency to not include two deaths the Pennsylvania Health Department has blamed on measles in the agency's updated statistics tracking measles deaths in the U.S., instead saying the CDC is reviewing additional information.

Dr. Erica Schwartz, who was confirmed by the senate early last month to take over leading the CDC, reportedly made the decision to exclude the two deaths in question, which Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro last week said were caused by measles infections. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. disputed Shapiro, saying the measles deaths could've been fabricated. A medical examiner then said that one of the fatalities, a newborn, actually had died from a ruptured spleen, though measles antibodies were found in the blood. Pennsylvania has not provided any info on the second death its health department has blamed on measles.

"This week's measles outbreaks update will not include the two measles-associated deaths reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on August 25 while CDC reviews additional information regarding the circumstances and causes of death. At this time, available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths or whether the individuals died from other causes while infected with measles," the agency wrote in an update on its website. "CDC will update the national count as additional information becomes available." Schwartz hasn't spoken publicly about the number of measles cases recorded nationally this year, or the two Pennsylvania cases in question.

Federal and state health officials have disagreed over whether the two deaths were caused by measles or if a measles infection was a contributing factor, or a coincidence.

According to the latest numbers provided by Pennsylvania, the state has recorded 487 measles cases this year, including 100 new cases in the last week.