CDC deploys scientist and nearly $4m in funding

The federal support announced on Thursday includes a scientist from the CDC's epidemic intelligence service – described as a 'disease detective' – to assist Pennsylvania's response to the Pennsylvania measles outbreak. Alongside the deployment, the CDC is releasing nearly $4m to aid the measles response efforts in the state.

A CDC spokesperson said the agency "will continue working closely with Pennsylvania health officials to provide the expertise and support needed to respond to the outbreak".

Outbreak numbers and the CDC's vaccine advice

The outbreak has grown sharply in recent weeks:

• As of Wednesday, Pennsylvania had confirmed 1,222 measles cases, up from 86 the week before.
• Six measles-associated deaths have also been confirmed by the state.
• As of Friday, the CDC reported 4,410 measles cases nationwide, an increase of 330 from its update the previous week.

According to the CDC spokesperson, CDC director Dr Erica Schwartz recommends the MMR vaccine as the most effective way to prevent measles and protect against infection.

Lancaster county, epicenter without a health department

Lancaster county is the focus of the state's outbreak, with more than 415 confirmed cases as of 9 October. It is also the largest county in Pennsylvania without its own health department. The plain community, or Amish, who have historically had lower rates of vaccination, make up about 8% of the county's population.

Alice Yoder, elected to the Lancaster county board of commissioners in 2023 and a former critical care nurse, said county officials were 'very concerned' and that the county is disadvantaged without a health department. Pennsylvania has 67 counties, with 60 under the centralized state system rather than running their own health departments, she said.

Yoder is now advocating for Lancaster to establish its own health department, arguing that a local department would mean real-time local data and established staff with community relationships, enabling a fast outbreak response. Without one, she said, she and her colleagues find out about measles cases and deaths only through media announcements, alongside the public.

Vaccine misinformation dispute

At an August briefing reporting two measles deaths – the state's first in three decades – Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro criticized health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and the administration for spreading vaccine misinformation, saying their actions and rhetoric were having a negative impact on communities across America.