Trump administration changes how it counts measles deaths amid Pennsylvania outbreak
Summary
The Trump administration changed how the CDC counts measles deaths during a measles outbreak in Pennsylvania. The CDC now uses data from the National Center for Health Statistics, which tracks long-term death trends, instead of the previous system that collected case reports from states and local areas.Key Facts
- The CDC switched to using National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data to count measles deaths.
- This new method focuses on long-term trends and may not confirm individual deaths immediately.
- Pennsylvania reported three measles-related deaths during the current outbreak, including a newborn, an infant, and a 40-year-old woman.
- The 40-year-old woman was unvaccinated and had serious lung disease, making her vulnerable to measles complications.
- The woman had not sought medical care before her death and was linked to a confirmed measles case.
- Pennsylvania had 676 confirmed measles cases, but officials believe the actual number is higher due to underreporting.
- Local officials emphasize the importance of measles vaccination to protect vulnerable people and prevent deaths.
- The CDC's new reporting system shows no confirmed measles deaths from 2026 yet, with measles deaths marked as probable until further investigation.
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