Measles deaths may have been 'fabricated,' RFK Jr claims after coroner raises questions
RFK Jr. alleged Pennsylvania's two measles-associated deaths may have been "fabricated" as a dispute with Gov. Josh Shapiro over the outbreak intensifies.
TL;DR
- Pennsylvania reported two "measles-associated" deaths of unvaccinated individuals.
- A county coroner expressed uncertainty about the deaths, stating one newborn died shortly after birth from unrelated causes and had no record of measles deaths.
- RFK Jr. claimed the deaths could be fabricated and criticized Gov. Josh Shapiro for alleged fearmongering.
- Gov. Shapiro countered that Kennedy stoked confusion, leading to reduced protection against measles.
- The CDC stated it is working to determine what occurred and noted discrepancies in information provided by the Governor's Office.
- Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen asserted that both deaths were investigated and confirmed positive for measles.
- Lancaster County, the center of the outbreak, has reported 424 confirmed cases and 73 hospitalizations.
- Measles can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of serious complications, especially in vulnerable populations like newborns.