CDC removes Pennsylvania measles deaths from national tally amid dispute

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed two measles-associated deaths reported by Pennsylvania from the federal government's national tally, a move directed by CDC Director Erica Schwartz, according to US media. The CDC initially added the cases but later removed them, posting a notice saying available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths. Pennsylvania's Department of Health announced on August 25 that two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died in cases classified as 'measles-associated', the state's first such deaths in 35 years. The CDC's change comes after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine sceptic, publicly questioned the cases, suggesting they might have been fabricated. Pennsylvania has disputed the federal account, saying the deaths were reported to the CDC's measles response team and thoroughly investigated. The decision has raised concerns about the Trump administration second-guessing state public health determinations. This occurs as the US records its highest number of measles cases in 35 years, and amid controversy over the administration's health policies, including an executive order aiming to roll back childhood immunizations.