Measles deaths may have been 'fabricated,' RFK Jr claims after coroner raises questions
Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Spark Political and Medical Debate Over Causes
Pennsylvania is grappling with its first measles-related deaths in 35 years, and now a political firestorm has erupted over whether the state health department's conclusions about those fatalities are accurate.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed Tuesday that two unvaccinated individuals died from measles-associated causes. The deaths mark the first time since 1990 that the state has recorded a fatality from the disease.
But the confirmation immediately drew skepticism from federal officials. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. alleged in a social media post that the announcement was premature and suggested the deaths might have been "altogether fabricated by one of the Governor's hopeful staffers." Kennedy accused Governor Josh Shapiro and his administration of "fearmongering, misinformation, finger-pointing and the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain."
The controversy intensified after Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni revealed that one of the deaths involved a newborn who died shortly after birth from a lacerated spleen. The infant had tested positive for measles acquired before birth. Diamantoni said his office was still investigating the case and was unaware of the second reported death.
Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania's Health Secretary, pushed back against the federal criticism, stating that both deaths had been reported to the CDC's measles response team early Tuesday morning. Bogen said she personally reviewed the case investigations and that state epidemiologists thoroughly examined both fatalities. Both individuals tested positive for measles, she confirmed.
The CDC acknowledged the discrepancies and said it was working to determine what actually occurred. The agency noted that Pennsylvania officials had not provided information relevant to the outbreak and had declined offers of assistance. "Under President Trump's and Secretary Kennedy's leadership, CDC will follow the facts and tell the American people the truth," the agency stated.
Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons said he also questioned whether sufficient evidence existed to confirm measles as the cause of death, citing information from the county coroner's office.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical analyst, explained that measles can affect the spleen, potentially causing enlargement and, in rare cases, rupture. He noted that pregnant women, newborns, and young infants face higher risks of serious complications from measles since they are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
"If the impact of measles on the immune system or stress on other major organs as a result of the disease leads to death, that would be a measles-associated death," Siegel said.
The dispute unfolded as Pennsylvania battles an ongoing measles outbreak concentrated in Lancaster County. As of Friday, the state had reported 424 confirmed cases and 73 hospitalizations.
Governor Shapiro held a press conference Tuesday, stating the deaths demonstrated the "real-life consequences" of misinformation about measles vaccines. He later accused Kennedy of stoking confusion among parents, resulting in decreased protection from measles and increased cases.