PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has provided an update on the measles outbreak as the number of confirmed cases nears 1,000.
As of Monday, Sept. 21, 792 measles cases have been confirmed across Pennsylvania this year, including 97 new cases reported in the past week.
The outbreak has now spread to 39 counties, and 155 people have been hospitalized.
State health officials have also reported four measles-associated deaths, including one in Jefferson County.
Jefferson County coroner shares details of first confirmed Measles death
On Sept. 16, the DOH began the formal process of requesting an Epi-Aid from the CDC to assist in the measles outbreak response.
An Epi-Aid is a short-term investigation by the CDC, focused on assisting health officials in making rapid, practical decisions to control and prevent the public health problem.
In a letter by Secretary of Health Debra L. Bogen, she states that while Epi-Aid is an important public health resource, the DOH will rescind its request unless the CDC acknowledges the four measles deaths due to this outbreak.
“I must be able to assure the public health professionals on my team that the resources we are bringing in to assist with their tireless work will not undermine their efforts and will partner with them toward a common goal, including publication of timely, accurate information about the outbreak,” said Bogen.
The CDC has previously challenged measles-related deaths reported by the DOH, citing information submitted to the agency. DOH officials, however, said each reported case met the CDC’s definition for measles.
CDC, Pennsylvania clash over measles deaths
“To date, CDC has not raised any questions or concerns about our definition,” added Bogen. “The CDC’s choice not to publicly recognize the deaths undermines our response.”
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You can stay up to date with latest information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by visiting pa.gov/measles.
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