Pennsylvania logged two more measles-associated deaths Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a total of 4 this year. The CDC dashboard still shows zero: the National Center for Health Statistics has no 2026 record listing measles as an underlying cause. The emergency aid Gov. Josh Shapiro (Gov-D Pennsylvania) wants requires the CDC to recognize the deaths first. Trump called Shapiro "close to incompetent," and Kennedy accused him of refusing to cooperate.
Catch up
On Sep. 18, Pennsylvania formally asked the CDC for emergency measles assistance, which the agency can only provide if it publicly counts the state's measles deaths — something it had not done.
- US measles cases are the highest since 1991, with more related deaths than any year since 1992
- Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000
- Shapiro, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. behind Trump in the Oval Office: "Incompetence is standing right behind you, Mr. President."
4 earlier issues
- Pennsylvania reports 2 measles-associated deaths, its first in 35 years, as coroner disputes infant case
- CDC leaves two Pennsylvania measles deaths out of its national count
- Unvaccinated 40-year-old Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, third death tied to outbreak
- UpdateCDC counts only NCHS-listed measles deaths, showing zero for 2026