PENNSYLVANIA — Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni confirmed on September 3, 2026, that one of two infant deaths in Pennsylvania was caused by measles, while the second involved measles as a contributing factor but not the direct cause of death. The coroner released the information in response to a state right-to-know law request by WPMT-TV, Fox 43.

Dr. Diamantoni stated that the measles virus itself caused one of the infant deaths. The second case involved Ivan Miller, who died on August 14, 2026, shortly after birth from a ruptured spleen. Dr. Diamantoni's office performed an autopsy on Miller and determined he died from a ruptured spleen.

Miller was infected with measles, which is listed on his death certificate as a contributing factor. Dr. Diamantoni stated that measles did not contribute to Miller's ruptured spleen. He explained that measles is noted on Miller's death certificate only because it was considered a condition present at the time of death.

The other infant, Mary Stoltzfus, was 6 weeks old when she died at her home on August 18, 2026. Dr. Diamantoni's office did not perform an autopsy on Stoltzfus. The cause of Stoltzfus's death was determined by the doctors caring for her.

Stoltzfus was born with Amish lethal microcephaly, a condition that causes an unusually small head and underdeveloped brain. Children with Amish lethal microcephaly typically live six months or less. Neither infant was old enough to be vaccinated, as the first measles dose is typically given at around one year of age.

Dr. Diamantoni reported his conclusions regarding the deaths to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC officials have not stated whether they will count either death as measles-associated. The CDC website does not currently reflect either Pennsylvania death as measles-associated.

The CDC measles webpage previously noted two measles-associated deaths before being changed to state the agency was not counting them pending review. The CDC website carries a disclaimer regarding the classification of the Pennsylvania deaths. The CDC measles webpage, last updated on Friday, states, "CDC will update its reporting as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed."

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated that vaccinations could have averted the deaths. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested the deaths "may even have been altogether fabricated." Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged Dr. Diamantoni’s conclusion that one of the deaths was due to measles in a social media post.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, stated, "Frankly, the CDC is not to be trusted in sharing information." He added, "People are questioning their motives." Pennsylvania state officials reported more than 620 measles cases across 37 counties in 2026.

Why It Matters

The determination of cause of death in these two cases occurs as public health officials monitor a resurgence of measles across the United States. The U.S. eliminated domestic measles spread in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates. However, U.S. measles vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.

International health officials will meet in November to determine if the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles-free status. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has provided all required epidemiological data on the measles-associated deaths to the CDC, according to inquirer.com. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has not shared details about the two measles-associated deaths, citing privacy concerns, according to lancasteronline.com. The CDC removed the deaths from its public-facing data, but they are still included in an internal database, according to arstechnica.com.

Timeline

In 2000, the U.S. eliminated domestic measles spread by maintaining high vaccination rates. Miller died on August 14, 2026, shortly after birth from a ruptured spleen. Stoltzfus was 6 weeks old when she died at her home on August 18, 2026.

What's New

Research titled "Aeromagnetic map of the Lancaster quadrangle, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" was published in 1961.