Pennsylvania Seeks CDC Aid for 731 Measles Cases as Dispute Over 4 Deaths Deepens
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 17
Pennsylvania Seeks CDC Aid for 731 Measles Cases as Dispute Over 4 Deaths Deepens
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 17
Summary
Pennsylvania has started requesting a CDC Epi-Aid as measles cases climbed to 731 across 38 counties, reversing its earlier stance that it could manage the outbreak without federal help.
A letter from Health Secretary Debra Bogen said the state could withdraw the request unless the CDC publicly recognizes four measles-associated deaths, arguing the agency’s refusal is undermining the response.
The clash centers on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who questioned whether the deaths were caused by measles and directed the CDC last month not to include Pennsylvania’s fatalities in the national count.
The outbreak is among the nation’s largest and deadliest and comes amid the worst US measles resurgence in more than three decades, a wave tied to rising vaccine hesitancy.