Pennsylvania reports two measles-associated deaths, sparking dispute over cause and political fight between Governor Shapiro and HHS Secretary RFK Jr.
On August 25, 2026, Pennsylvania announced two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County, both in unvaccinated individuals. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni later stated that one death involved a newborn who died from a lacerated spleen, with measles antibodies present but the forensic pathologist not attributing the death to measles. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested the deaths may have been fabricated, while Pennsylvania health officials maintained the deaths were measles-associated and reported to the CDC. The CDC stated Pennsylvania had declined federal assistance and not provided outbreak information, which Pennsylvania disputed.
67
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 1% of divergence this week. 18 outlets covered it, splitting into 18 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
18 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 18 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
The Atlantic
Politico
CNN
ABC News
Breitbart
Washington Examiner
HuffPost
Al Jazeera
BBC
AP News
CBS News
Washington Post
PBS NewsHour
The Hill
Newsmax
Bloomberg
Reuters
NY Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
The Atlantic
Pennsylvania's Public-Health Officials May Be Wrong About a Measles Death
medical nuance and premature announcement · neutral
Breitbart
Nolte: Josh Shapiro's Great Pennsylvania Measles-Death Hoax Is Unraveling
measles death hoax unraveling · negative
First to report
- Reutersfirst
- CBS News+2.9 h
- NY Post+4.1 h
- BBC+4.3 h
- Al Jazeera+8.8 h
- PBS NewsHour+12.2 h
- Newsmax+27.8 h
- Breitbart+29.9 h
- Politico+33.6 h
- Bloomberg+34.5 h
- The Hill+35.9 h
- Washington Examiner+45.1 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Pro-Shapiro outlets frame measles-associated deaths as confirmed and fault RFK Jr.'s vaccine skepticism. Right-leaning outlets frame death from a lacerated spleen as proof of a hoax. Wires report the announcement straight.
How each outlet covered it
Two readings of the same facts
The left and the right lead with different language. The loaded words each chose are highlighted.
67DIVERGENCE
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“What to know about US measles cases on the rise” · Politico, Al Jazeera, BBC, AP News, PBS NewsHour, The Hill, Bloomberg, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 18 outlets put it
LEFT4
ATLThe Atlantic Pennsylvania's Public-Health Officials May Be Wrong About a Measles Death 16d ago CNNCNN A war of words followed two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania 16d ago HPHuffPost RFK Jr. Suggests Pennsylvania Measles Deaths May Have Been 'Fabricated' By Shapiro Staffers 16d ago WPWashington Post Measles' role in child's death ignites fight between RFK Jr. and Pennsylvania governor 16d ago LEFT-CENTER2
ABCABC News Shapiro, RFK Jr. spar over measles and vaccines 15d ago CBSCBS News Pennsylvania health department reports 2 measles deaths in Lancaster County 18d ago CENTER6
PPolitico RFK Jr. is exploiting Shapiro's secrecy on Pennsylvania measles deaths 16d ago APAP News Pennsylvania reports first 2 measles deaths in the US this year, both people unvaccinated PBSPBS NewsHour News Wrap: 2 unvaccinated people die from measles in Pennsylvania 18d ago HThe Hill Trump officials cast doubt on Pennsylvania measles death claims 16d ago BLBloomberg Shapiro Clashes With RFK Jr. After Pennsylvania Measles Deaths 17d ago RReuters What to know about US measles cases on the rise 18d ago RIGHT4
BBreitbart Nolte: Josh Shapiro's Great Pennsylvania Measles-Death Hoax Is Unraveling 16d ago WEWashington Examiner Pennsylvania coroner claims one of state's measles deaths was actually due to lacerated spleen 16d ago NMNewsmax RFK Jr. Rips Shapiro Over Vaccine 'Misinformation' 17d ago NYPNY Post Two Americans dead from measles in Pennsylvania — first deaths in state in 35 years: health department 18d ago 7 tracked claims across 18 outlets
Fact ledger
All7Disputed2Corroborated5
2/18
Disputed
Whether Pennsylvania provided information to and accepted assistance from the CDC.
Corroborated
Disputed
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