--- title: "CDC Excludes Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Amid Investigation" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation" category: "Health" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-01T19:05:11.473Z" source_reported: "2026-09-01T17:43:44.000Z" updated: "2026-09-01T19:05:11.473Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-01T19:00:18.245838+00:00" --- # CDC Excludes Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Amid Investigation *Federal health agency omits two reported deaths pending further review, following a political dispute.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. All 16 digests agree CDC excluded two PA deaths; no named sources or documents quoted. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. No outlet quoted affected parties or provided specific figures beyond case counts. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines overstate conflict and omit CDC's stated reason for delay. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - 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. 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. ## Disagreement over Pennsylvania measles deaths 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. ## What the coverage left out 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. ## Who covered it Shares of the 15 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 53% (8) - Centre: 20% (3) - Right: 27% (4) 1 of 16 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-01T19:00:18.245838+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-01T19:15:24.797Z. ## How the sides framed it ### 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. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 8 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [We Got This Covered](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) — Health officials exclude two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania after RFK Jr's 'fabricated' remark. Former CDC lead calls it 'highly unusual' - [Protect Our Care](https://protectourcare.org/in-highly-unusual-order-on-measles-deaths-cdc-director-schwartz-caves-to-trump-rfk-jr-anti-vax-agenda) — In “Highly Unusual” Order on Measles Deaths, CDC Director Schwartz Caves to Trump-RFK Jr Anti-Vax Agenda - [Techdirt](https://techdirt.com/2026/08/31/rfk-jr-goes-full-anti-vaxxer-conspiracy-theorist-over-2-pa-measles-deaths) — RFK Jr. Goes Full Anti-Vaxxer Conspiracy Theorist Over 2 PA Measles Deaths - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/cdc-director-challenges-pennsylvanias-report-of-2-measles-deaths) — CDC director challenges Pennsylvania’s report of 2 measles deaths - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/4707305/cdc-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-weekly-update) — CDC omits Pennsylvania measles deaths from weekly update - [Newser](https://newser.com/story/395616/new-cdc-director-orders-2-deaths-kept-off-measles-list.html) — New CDC Director Orders 2 Deaths Kept Off Measles List - [Hastings Tribune](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) — The CDC left two measles-associated Pa. deaths out of its latest count after RFK Jr. sparred with Gov. Shapiro - [thyblackman.com](https://thyblackman.com/2026/08/31/rfk-jr-measles-vaccine-misinformation-deadly-consequences) — RFK Jr.’s Measles Misinformation Has Deadly Consequences. - [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/31/the-cdc-hasnt-added-2-deaths-to-its-measles-database) — The CDC Hasn’t Added 2 Deaths to Its Measles Database - [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/health/2026/08/31/new-cdc-director-delays-adding-pennsylvania-deaths-measles-data) — New CDC director delays adding Pennsylvania deaths to measles data - [Philly Voice](https://phillyvoice.com/cdc-measles-deaths-pennsylvania) — CDC leaves Pennsylvania deaths off national measles tally after vaccine spat between RFK Jr., Gov. Shapiro - [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/charlie-martin/2026/08/31/measles-captain-ahab-and-the-white-whale-n4956749) — Measles, Captain Ahab, and the White Whale - [The Daily Wire](https://dailywire.com/news/josh-shapiro-says-vaccination-rates-are-falling-under-trump-his-states-data-say-otherwise) — Josh Shapiro Says Vaccination Rates Are Falling Under Trump. His State’s Data Say Otherwise. - [NBC Philadelphia](https://nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/cdc-leaves-out-2-pa-measles-associated-deaths-in-latest-official-count/4456334) — CDC leaves out 2 Pa. measles-associated deaths in latest official count - [The Keystone](https://keystonenewsroom.com/news/healthcare/measles-deaths-reported-in-pennsylvania-spark-fight-among-politicians-and-health-officials) — Measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officials - [Medical Daily](https://medicaldaily.com/cdc-measles-2903-cases-pennsylvania-deaths-excluded-national-count-477953) — The CDC Posted Its Delayed Measles Update at 2,903 Cases and Left Two Pennsylvania Deaths Uncounted ## Questions **Why did the CDC exclude two measles deaths from Pennsylvania?** The CDC excluded two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania from its weekly update because the agency is conducting a further investigation into the cause of these deaths. CDC Director Erica Schwartz ordered the exclusion pending the outcome of this review. **What is the latest measles case count?** The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest measles update reported a total of 2,903 cases nationwide. This figure represents the national tally of confirmed measles infections. **Was there a political element to the exclusion of the deaths?** Yes, the exclusion followed a public dispute between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Several reports indicated that the disagreement over the nature of the deaths was politically charged. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "CDC Excludes Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Amid Investigation", https://mediabias.news/health/cdc-excludes-pennsylvania-measles-deaths-amid-investigation