The Trump administration has revised its method for tallying measles deaths in light of an outbreak in Pennsylvania, which has now reported a third suspected measles-related death, according to a local coroner.
Now, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is relying on information from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This change, noted on the agency’s website, aims to help track mortality trends more effectively over time.
Debra Houry, a former chief medical officer at the CDC, expressed confusion over this decision, calling it puzzling. She pointed out that the system isn’t designed to confirm specific cases, but rather to focus on long-term mortality trends.
Previously, the CDC utilized the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), which is intended to facilitate the flow of data from local and state levels up to the federal government.
Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services, mentioned that the CDC will report measles deaths only if the NCHS identifies measles as the actual cause of death.
Notably, the CDC has placed a disclaimer beneath its death count, indicating that as of now, the NCHS does not have any records for 2026 that attribute deaths to measles.
Pennsylvania officials have confirmed two deaths linked to measles this year: a newborn and a six-week-old infant. Additionally, a 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, passed away from what appears to be measles, according to coroner Greg Furlong.
This woman had not been vaccinated and suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which required round-the-clock oxygen support, making her particularly susceptible to complications. Although she was set to get medical care, her condition worsened before that could happen, leading to her death.
She exhibited typical symptoms of measles, including the rash, and had come into contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus.
A nasal swab is currently being tested for measles, with results expected soon. Due to the connection to a confirmed case, officials anticipate classifying her death as probable measles-related, Furlong stated.
The coroner suggested that without the measles infection, the woman might still be alive today, despite her health challenges. “We can never predict our last moment on Earth,” he commented. “But I truly believe if measles hadn’t been a factor, she would be alive now, even with her underlying issues.”
Furlong emphasized the crucial need to maintain a measles vaccination rate of at least 95% to protect the vulnerable, especially infants under six months and pregnant individuals.
He hopes that this situation encourages more people to get vaccinated, remarking that “nobody wants to end up as a statistic.” He also expressed disappointment that it took a tragedy to highlight the importance of immunization.
As of Friday, Pennsylvania had reported 676 confirmed measles cases. However, Furlong suspects that this number may be an underrepresentation, indicating that there are likely more unreported infections. “I’m sure of it,” he asserted.
He made his announcement on a Sunday to raise public awareness about the ongoing situation. Following the health department’s investigation—including results from the nasal swab—it will inform the CDC about the case.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not commented on this death, instead sharing posts on various topics unrelated to the outbreak. He has previously suggested, without evidence, that the earlier two deaths might not be attributed to measles and requested that the CDC refrain from including those deaths in its official count. Curiously, this plea came just after the CDC adjusted its data source for measles deaths.
Kennedy has also been known for his leadership role in an anti-vaccine organization and has frequently disseminated misinformation about vaccines. However, Hilliard reassured that the CDC’s stance on the MMR vaccine remains unchanged, affirming that it is the most effective method for preventing measles infection.
