Coroner Confirms One Infant Died Directly from Measles in Pennsylvania Outbreak

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — The Lancaster County coroner confirmed Wednesday that one of two infants who died during Pennsylvania’s recent measles outbreak succumbed directly to the virus, while the cause of death for the second infant was a ruptured spleen unrelated to the infection.

Dr. Stephen Diamantoni, the county’s coroner, stated that he had forwarded his findings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, federal health officials have not yet publicly classified either fatality as measles-associated, and the agency’s website continues to list a disclaimer regarding the deaths.

Ivan Miller, an infant, died on August 14 following a rupture of the spleen, Diamantoni said. The second victim, six-week-old Mary Stoltzfus, died on August 18 at her home. According to Diamantoni, she was born with Amish lethal microcephaly, a genetic condition resulting in an underdeveloped brain and small head, which typically limits life expectancy to six months or less. He told the Associated Press that a measles infection ultimately killed her.

Diamantoni noted that his office did not perform an autopsy on Stoltzfus; instead, the attending physicians determined her cause of death. In contrast, an autopsy was conducted on Miller. While measles is listed on the boy’s death certificate as a contributing factor, Diamantoni clarified that the virus did not cause the splenic rupture. It was included only because it was deemed a “significant condition” present at the time of death.

Neither infant was old enough to receive the measles vaccine, which is generally administered around the first birthday.

The coroner released these details in response to a right-to-know request filed by WPMT-TV, Fox 43. The revelations have intensified a political clash between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Trump administration. Shapiro emphasized that vaccinations could have prevented the deaths, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned the validity of the fatalities, suggesting they may have been fabricated.

This dispute echoes controversies from the previous year when Kennedy expressed doubt over whether a child died from measles. Dr. Debra Houry, a former CDC chief medical officer who resigned in protest last summer, alleged that Kennedy and his allies are prioritizing a pre-existing agenda over scientific data.

Public trust in the CDC has eroded amid these tensions. The agency’s measles webpage was recently edited to remove references to the two Pennsylvania deaths, replacing them with language stating that reporting would be updated after additional review. Currently, the CDC lists three measles deaths for 2025 but none for 2026, despite Diamantoni’s conclusion that one infant died of measles.

Meanwhile, the outbreak in Pennsylvania continues to spread. State officials reported at least 624 cases across 37 counties this year. With vaccination rates dipping below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity, health experts warn that preventable diseases are on the rise. International officials are scheduled to meet in November to assess whether the United States and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.