From Ars Technica · · 1 min
CDC Secretly Tracks Measles Deaths Removed Under RFK Jr. Order
Reports reveal HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered measles fatalities scrubbed from public CDC data during an active outbreak.
In brief
Reports reveal HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered measles fatalities scrubbed from public CDC data during an active outbreak. Political pressure led to the public deletion of reported measles deaths at the CDC, even as internal systems continue to log them. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
Deleted from public view
Reports reveal anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the CDC to remove two measles deaths from its public website.
“Kennedy instructed new CDC director Erica Schwartz to delete the two deaths from the agency’s website.”
Tragic losses in Pennsylvania
The deleted deaths involved a newborn and a child from Pennsylvania's ongoing outbreak, which has sickened 540 people so far.
Still tracked behind closed doors
Despite public erasure, an internal CDC database accessible to health officials continues to count both pediatric deaths.
Political clash over vaccine data
RFK Jr. publicly claimed without evidence that state officials fabricated the deaths following a heated exchange with Pennsylvania's governor.
Public disclaimers quietly shifted
The CDC altered its website notes to question whether measles caused the fatalities, despite state health officials confirming they sent full documentation.
“available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the deaths”
The takeaway
Political pressure led to the public deletion of reported measles deaths at the CDC, even as internal systems continue to log them.
