Lancaster Coroner Says Newborn's Spleen Rupture, Not Measles, Caused Death in 1 of 2 Cases
Updated
Updated · WGAL Susquehanna Valley Pa. · Aug 30
Lancaster Coroner Says Newborn's Spleen Rupture, Not Measles, Caused Death in 1 of 2 Cases
3 articles · Updated · WGAL Susquehanna Valley Pa. · Aug 30
Summary
Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamontoni said a newborn whom Pennsylvania counted among two measles-associated deaths actually died from a ruptured spleen, not measles.
The county's forensic pathologist found the spleen was neither enlarged nor inflamed, undercutting any link to measles, though the exact cause of the laceration remains under investigation.
Diamontoni said he does not know why the state used the term "measles-associated" and that his office has no information on the second reported death; the governor's office and health department did not respond.
The clarification lands amid a broader dispute over Pennsylvania's outbreak, which has reached 460 cases statewide, including 210 in Lancaster County.
With Pennsylvania's measles hospitalizations reaching 20%, what hidden factors are accelerating this historic outbreak among vulnerable unvaccinated populations?
How will the unprecedented data dispute between state and federal health agencies impact the fight against America's surging measles crisis?