The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two measles deaths on Tuesday as the country responds to an ongoing outbreak spanning 47 states. The federal agency recorded a total of 3,659 confirmed measles cases as of 24 September, surpassing case numbers seen in any year since 1991, though the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000.
Federal Data Discrepancies and State-Level Impact
The federal measles death count does not include deaths reported in Pennsylvania, the hardest-hit state, which has recorded more than 900 cases and four deaths. This omission stems from a shift in data collection methods at the federal level. The CDC now uses mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics rather than gathering figures directly from state health departments, creating a public dispute between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Pennsylvania health officials reported 114 new measles cases in the last seven days, with children under 18 accounting for one-third of those infections. The state has recorded 176 hospitalizations. According to state health data, less than 1% of total measles patients had been fully vaccinated against the disease.
“While daily numbers fluctuate, tracking these trends provides Pennsylvanians and health care providers with visibility into community transmission across the [state] and helps inform the department’s ongoing response,” Pennsylvania’s health department stated.
CDC Staff Reductions Amid Outbreak Response
The national outbreak coincides with significant personnel cuts at the federal health agency. The Trump administration laid off 18% of the CDC workforce in 2025. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 82,000 federal workers, reports a loss of 3,810 civil service employees at the agency over the past year, representing a one-third reduction.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that typically produces symptoms seven to 14 days after infection. Early signs include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads down the body. Medical complications can be severe, and deaths occur in approximately one to three out of every 1,000 cases. To prevent infection, the CDC advises that two doses of the MMR vaccine “provide the best protection against measles”.
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