Measles Miscommunication: A Cautionary Tale for Public Health Officials The recent measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has brought into sharp focus the complexities of attributing cause and effect in medical cases, particularly when it comes to infectious diseases like measles.
The initial announcement by Governor Josh Shapiro that two individuals had died due to measles associated complications sparked a flurry of reactions from public health experts to anti vaccine activists.
One case involved an infant who tested positive for measles and subsequently suffered a fatal lacerated spleen. While this may seem like a clear cut case of measles causing death, there are several factors to consider.