The Straits Times World News
· collected 2026-09-04 · by The Straits Times
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 3,134 confirmed measles cases so far in 2026, driven by a growing outbreak in Pennsylvania linked to two deaths. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are engaged in a public feud over the cause of the deaths and vaccination rates. The CDC's website was changed to reflect an investigation into the deaths after being ordered by Kennedy, who has been critical of vaccines in the past. According to the CDC, 94% of confirmed measles cases in 2026 are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
3,134 measles cases have been reported in the US as of September, with a growing outbreak in Pennsylvania linked to two deaths. The state has recorded 540 infections and 91 hospitalizations, mostly centered in Lancaster County. The two deaths were initially reported by the state, but Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the CDC to delay reporting them, citing uncertainty about whether the virus contributed to the deaths. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro accused Kennedy of sowing distrust. The CDC has not confirmed the cause of death for either infant, with one coroner stating that a ruptured spleen may have caused the first death, while measles was listed on the newborn's death certificate.
Written for “Measles Outbreak in US Cities” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
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Kennedy – a longtime vaccine critic who has promoted debunked connections between shots and autism
right characterization of Kennedy's views
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He also cited false information about the shot, saying incorrectly that it contains fetal tissue.
right presentation of incorrect information as fact
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The CDC says 94 per cent of those with confirmed measles cases in 2026 are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status.
left emphasis on vaccination rates and lack of vaccination
Leaning score -0.35 for article 3707 (high confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-04
US measles cases hit 3,134 as leaders feud over the death count
AI generated
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leaders → hit → count
The US has confirmed 3,134 measles cases so far in 2026, driven by a growing outbreak in Pennsylvania linked to two deaths that started a feud between the governor and the nation’s top health leader.
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that → confirm → governor
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 231 new cases in the week ending Sept 3.
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Centers → confirm → week
The nation is already at the highest levels since 1991, the last year with more cases, which occurred prior to the formal elimination of the disease.
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which → occur → disease
Pennsylvania has recorded 540 infections and 91 hospitalisations as of Sept 2, according to the state’s health department.
uncertain
Pennsylvania → record → department
Most of the infections are centred in Lancaster County.
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Most → centre → County
In August, the state reported two measles-associated deaths, the first in the US in 2026.
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state → report → 2026
On Aug 28, the CDC delayed its regular weekly update of case data.
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CDC → delay → data
The agency’s site was then changed to say it was investigating the deaths, an unprecedented change that was ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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that → change → change
The CDC update posted on Sept 4 still did not include the two deaths.
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update → post → deaths
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro blamed Kennedy for sowing distrust in vaccines that led to a decline in measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates.
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that → blame → rates
Kennedy – a longtime vaccine critic who has promoted debunked connections between shots and autism – responded by saying drops in MMR rates came before his time as the country’s top health official.
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drops → promote → official
He also cited false information about the shot, saying incorrectly that it contains fetal tissue.
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it → cite → tissue
The social media jabs continued through the week, sparking confusion about the two deaths and raising questions about whether they were caused by the virus.
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they → continue → virus
Kennedy claimed the deaths may have been “fabricated” or from something other than measles.
uncertain
deaths → claim → measles
But Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen pushed back on Kennedy’s assertion.
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Bogen → push → assertion
“I have thoroughly reviewed the case investigation information and sadly can confirm that there were two recent measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County,” she said on social media.
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she → review → media
The Lancaster County coroner told local news outlet WGAL that one of the deaths was an infant who died from a ruptured spleen and tested positive for measles.
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who → tell → measles
Pediatricians generally recommend children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine after 12 months.
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children → recommend → months
During the 2025 outbreak in Texas, when two unvaccinated children died, Kennedy touted unproven remedies, including vitamin A and cod liver oil, to curb infections.
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Kennedy → die → infections
Vaccine policy under Kennedy and President Donald Trump has been upended in the past year.
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policy → upend → year
In August, Trump signed an executive order that recommended the MMR combination vaccine be split into three shots, which would be costly and complicated for manufacturers and require more clinic visits to administer.
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which → sign → visits
The CDC says 94 per cent of those with confirmed measles cases in 2026 are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status.
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cent → say → status
The MMR is one of the most effective inoculations, preventing 97 per cent of infections after two doses.
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MMR → prevent → doses
