{"publisher":{"name":"MediaBias News","url":"https://mediabias.news","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology","editorialPrinciples":"https://mediabias.news/editorial-principles","corrections":"https://mediabias.news/corrections"},"scoreGuide":{"trust":"How well corroborated and evidenced the source reporting is. 0-100, higher is better.","critic":"Craft quality of the source journalism: context, balance, fact vs comment. 0-100, higher is better.","hype":"How far the source presentation runs ahead of substance. 0-100, LOWER IS BETTER.","scope":"Scores assess the original reporting this article was written from, not the truth of the underlying event and not the quality of this write-up."},"assessmentGuide":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"story":{"id":"https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation","slug":"cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation","url":"https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation","title":"CDC Excludes Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Amid Investigation","subtitle":"Federal health agency omits two reported deaths pending further review, following a political dispute.","excerpt":"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has excluded two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its latest weekly update. The agency stated the decision was made pending further investigation into the cause of the deaths.","category":"Health","area":"United States","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T19:05:11.473Z","sourceReportedAt":"2026-09-01T17:43:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-09-01T19:05:11.473Z","readTime":"2 min read","scores":{"trust":50,"critic":55,"hype":45,"notes":{"trust":"All 16 digests agree CDC excluded two PA deaths; no named sources or documents quoted","critic":"No outlet quoted affected parties or provided specific figures beyond case counts","hype":"Headlines overstate conflict and omit CDC's stated reason for delay"}},"tags":["#CDC","#Measles","#Pennsylvania","#PublicHealth","#RFKJr"],"entities":["Centers for Disease Control and Prevention","Erica Schwartz","Pennsylvania","Lancaster County","RFK Jr.","Josh Shapiro"],"body":[{"type":"key_takeaways","items":["The CDC has excluded two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its latest weekly update.","CDC Director Erica Schwartz ordered the exclusion while the agency investigates the deaths.","The dispute follows a public disagreement between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.","The CDC's latest measles case count stands at 2,903."]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Pennsylvania officials confirmed two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has excluded these deaths from its latest weekly measles update, stating the exclusion is pending further investigation. CDC Director Erica Schwartz ordered the exclusion. The CDC's latest national measles case count was reported as 2,903."},{"type":"heading","text":"Disagreement over Pennsylvania measles deaths"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Pennsylvania officials reported two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County. The CDC, however, excluded these from its weekly update, citing ongoing investigation. The agency's decision followed a public dispute between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The CDC reported 70 hospitalizations and hundreds of measles infections in Lancaster County."},{"type":"heading","text":"What the coverage left out"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"None of the left-rated digests mention the specific number of hospitalisations or infections in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, details that were present in some right-rated digests."}],"basedOn":[{"sourceName":"We Got This Covered","url":"https://wegotthiscovered.com/news/health-officials-exclude-two-measles-related-deaths-in-pennsylvania-after-rfk-jrs-fabricated-remark-former-cdc-lead-calls-it-highly-unusual","headline":"Health officials exclude two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania after RFK Jr's 'fabricated' remark. Former CDC lead calls it 'highly unusual'","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T17:43:44.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Protect Our Care","url":"https://protectourcare.org/in-highly-unusual-order-on-measles-deaths-cdc-director-schwartz-caves-to-trump-rfk-jr-anti-vax-agenda","headline":"In “Highly Unusual” Order on Measles Deaths, CDC Director Schwartz Caves to Trump-RFK Jr Anti-Vax Agenda","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T15:01:19.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Techdirt","url":"https://techdirt.com/2026/08/31/rfk-jr-goes-full-anti-vaxxer-conspiracy-theorist-over-2-pa-measles-deaths","headline":"RFK Jr. Goes Full Anti-Vaxxer Conspiracy Theorist Over 2 PA Measles Deaths","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T03:03:00.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Seattle Times","url":"https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/cdc-director-challenges-pennsylvanias-report-of-2-measles-deaths","headline":"CDC director challenges Pennsylvania’s report of 2 measles deaths","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T01:27:15.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Washington Examiner","url":"https://washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/4707305/cdc-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-weekly-update","headline":"CDC omits Pennsylvania measles deaths from weekly update","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T00:43:37.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Newser","url":"https://newser.com/story/395616/new-cdc-director-orders-2-deaths-kept-off-measles-list.html","headline":"New CDC Director Orders 2 Deaths Kept Off Measles List","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-09-01T00:20:18.333Z"},{"sourceName":"Hastings Tribune","url":"https://hastingstribune.com/ap/agriculture/the-cdc-left-two-measles-associated-pa-deaths-out-of-its-latest-count-after-rfk/article_8e9318fa-22cb-55e9-9ab7-9bd7907985ae.html","headline":"The CDC left two measles-associated Pa. deaths out of its latest count after RFK Jr. sparred with Gov. Shapiro","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T22:51:44.000Z"},{"sourceName":"thyblackman.com","url":"https://thyblackman.com/2026/08/31/rfk-jr-measles-vaccine-misinformation-deadly-consequences","headline":"RFK Jr.’s Measles Misinformation Has Deadly Consequences.","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T22:12:43.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Political Wire","url":"https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/31/the-cdc-hasnt-added-2-deaths-to-its-measles-database","headline":"The CDC Hasn’t Added 2 Deaths to Its Measles Database","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T21:36:36.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Washington Post","url":"https://washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/31/new-cdc-director-delays-adding-pennsylvania-deaths-measles-data","headline":"New CDC director delays adding Pennsylvania deaths to measles data","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T21:32:23.092Z"},{"sourceName":"Philly Voice","url":"https://phillyvoice.com/cdc-measles-deaths-pennsylvania","headline":"CDC leaves Pennsylvania deaths off national measles tally after vaccine spat between RFK Jr., Gov. Shapiro","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T17:42:59.368Z"},{"sourceName":"PJ Media","url":"https://pjmedia.com/charlie-martin/2026/08/31/measles-captain-ahab-and-the-white-whale-n4956749","headline":"Measles, Captain Ahab, and the White Whale","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T17:13:00.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Daily Wire","url":"https://dailywire.com/news/josh-shapiro-says-vaccination-rates-are-falling-under-trump-his-states-data-say-otherwise","headline":"Josh Shapiro Says Vaccination Rates Are Falling Under Trump. His State’s Data Say Otherwise.","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T16:23:40.000Z"},{"sourceName":"NBC Philadelphia","url":"https://nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/cdc-leaves-out-2-pa-measles-associated-deaths-in-latest-official-count/4456334","headline":"CDC leaves out 2 Pa. measles-associated deaths in latest official count","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T16:22:27.000Z"},{"sourceName":"The Keystone","url":"https://keystonenewsroom.com/news/healthcare/measles-deaths-reported-in-pennsylvania-spark-fight-among-politicians-and-health-officials","headline":"Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T10:53:33.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Medical Daily","url":"https://medicaldaily.com/cdc-measles-2903-cases-pennsylvania-deaths-excluded-national-count-477953","headline":"The CDC Posted Its Delayed Measles Update at 2,903 Cases and Left Two Pennsylvania Deaths Uncounted","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T06:10:13.000Z"}],"analysis":{"distribution":{"percent":{"left":53,"centre":20,"right":27},"count":{"left":8,"centre":3,"right":4},"totalSources":16,"untracked":1,"rated":15,"observedAt":"2026-09-01T19:00:18.245838+00:00"},"lifecycle":{"state":"developing","lastCheckedAt":"2026-09-01T19:15:24.797Z","closedAt":null,"checks":1,"changes":0,"reopened":false},"framing":{"left":["Left-rated reports focused on the CDC's exclusion of the two Pennsylvania measles deaths from its weekly update, often highlighting the unusual nature of the decision. Several reports noted that CDC Director Erica Schwartz ordered the exclusion. The dispute was frequently linked to a public spat between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, with some outlets describing RFK Jr.'s remarks as 'fabricated' or 'anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist' rhetoric. Reports mentioned the CDC's latest measles case count of 2,903 and Pennsylvania's 70 hospitalizations and hundreds of infections in Lancaster County."],"centre":["Centre-rated reports highlighted the CDC's decision to omit the two Pennsylvania measles-associated deaths from its latest count, noting it was an unusual move for the agency. These reports frequently mentioned the involvement of CDC Director Erica Schwartz in the decision and the preceding public disagreement between RFK Jr. and Governor Josh Shapiro. The CDC's total case count of 2,903 was also noted."],"right":["Right-rated reports focused on the CDC's exclusion of the Pennsylvania measles deaths from its weekly update, with some framing it as an omission pending investigation. One report mentioned that Pennsylvania authorities reported two deaths from measles, and that both patients were unvaccinated. This report also stated that measles was reportedly ravaging Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where 70 people had been hospitalised and hundreds infected, and noted the CDC's reported 2,777 cases nationwide at the time. Another report discussed Governor Josh Shapiro's claims about vaccination rates falling under President Trump, contrasting them with data from his own state."],"comparison":""},"blindspot":null,"sourceFactualityDistribution":{"mixed":5,"high":8,"unknown":1,"veryHigh":2},"ownershipDistribution":{"privateEquity":1,"mediaConglomerate":3,"billionaire":5,"independent":3},"firstDatedReport":{"sourceName":"Medical Daily","url":"https://medicaldaily.com/cdc-measles-2903-cases-pennsylvania-deaths-excluded-national-count-477953","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T06:10:13.000Z"},"countries":[{"country":"Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States","count":2},{"country":"Washington, District of Columbia, United States","count":2},{"country":"Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States","count":1},{"country":"New York, New York, United States","count":1},{"country":"Nebraska, United States","count":1},{"country":"Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States","count":1},{"country":"Seattle, King County, Washington, United States","count":1},{"country":"Redwood City, San Mateo County, California, United States","count":1}],"outlets":[{"name":"Medical Daily","url":"https://medicaldaily.com/cdc-measles-2903-cases-pennsylvania-deaths-excluded-national-count-477953","headline":"The CDC Posted Its Delayed Measles Update at 2,903 Cases and Left Two Pennsylvania Deaths Uncounted","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T06:10:13.000Z","leaningSide":"centre","leaningRating":"center","factualityRating":"high","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Keystone","url":"https://keystonenewsroom.com/news/healthcare/measles-deaths-reported-in-pennsylvania-spark-fight-among-politicians-and-health-officials","headline":"Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T10:53:33.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"mixed","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"NBC Philadelphia","url":"https://nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/cdc-leaves-out-2-pa-measles-associated-deaths-in-latest-official-count/4456334","headline":"CDC leaves out 2 Pa. measles-associated deaths in latest official count","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T16:22:27.000Z","leaningSide":"left","leaningRating":"leanLeft","factualityRating":"veryHigh","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"The Daily Wire","url":"https://dailywire.com/news/josh-shapiro-says-vaccination-rates-are-falling-under-trump-his-states-data-say-otherwise","headline":"Josh Shapiro Says Vaccination Rates Are Falling Under Trump. His State’s Data Say Otherwise.","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T16:23:40.000Z","leaningSide":"right","leaningRating":"right","factualityRating":"mixed","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":"Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States","repostedFrom":null},{"name":"PJ Media","url":"https://pjmedia.com/charlie-martin/2026/08/31/measles-captain-ahab-and-the-white-whale-n4956749","headline":"Measles, Captain Ahab, and the White Whale","publishedAt":"2026-08-31T17:13:00.000Z","leaningSide":"right","leaningRating":"farRight","factualityRating":"mixed","angle":null,"isOpinion":false,"country":null,"repostedFrom":null},{"name":"Philly Voice","url":"https://phillyvoice.com/cdc-measles-deaths-pennsylvania","headline":"CDC leaves Pennsylvania deaths off national measles tally after vaccine spat between RFK Jr., Gov. 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