Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has grown to 460 cases across 31 counties this year, with 36 new cases reported since Wednesday, according to new data released Friday, Aug. 28, by the state Department of Health. Cases have been reported in counties including Chester and Montgomery as health off icials work to get more children vaccinated. “This is obviously a deeply serious measles outbreak that we are dealing with all across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and since my comments on Tuesday that you referenced, the situation has gotten much worse,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said during an unrelated public safety event in Montgomery County’s Upper Moreland Township on Friday. The rising case count comes days after Shapiro and health officials announced two measles-associated deaths. The Department of Health later said one of those deaths involved an infant. The Lancaster County coroner said a case referred to his office involved a newborn who died shortly after birth and tested positive for measles, but the cause of death was a ruptured spleen. “We don’t consider that a measles death,” the coroner said. The Department of Health has said it uses the term “measles-associated” to indicate there is evidence of measles, though the disease may not be determined to be the immediate cause of death. “I think the Department of Health has made clear that they’ve shared all the information that they are permitted under state law to share and that those two deaths were measles-related,” Shapiro said. Shapiro and RFK Jr. clash over outbreak The outbreak has also sparked a political dispute between Shapiro and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy claimed Wednesday that Pennsylvania wasn’t cooperating as federal officials sought information about the deaths. “We’re trying to figure out … who are those deaths, whether they actually happened we can’t figure that out yet,” Kennedy said. Shapiro accused Kennedy of going down a “rabbit hole” of conspiracy theories and false claims. Kennedy, in turn, accused Shapiro of fearmongering. Shapiro said Friday that the Pennsylvania Department of Health will continue working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies. “What does not serve the public interest right now is getting into a back and forth with people online who are spewing irresponsible conspiracy theories,” Shapiro said. NBC10’s Lauren Mayk asked Shapiro whether Pennsylvania is receiving everything it needs from the federal government to respond to the outbreak. “We have received the support that is needed,” Shapiro said. “According to the Department of Health there has been regular communication with the CDC and other federal agencies and if I have any unmet needs that I need from the federal government I will reach out to them and make that request.” This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less