Coroner claims one of Pennsylvania’s measles deaths was actually due to lacerated spleen
A newborn infant from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was reported to have died with signs of measles antibodies present, but subsequent investigations revealed that the cause of death was a ruptured spleen, not measles. Initially, reports indicated two measles-related deaths, with authorities suggesting these deaths reflected the consequences of vaccine hesitancy. However, officials and the Lancaster County coroner clarified that only one death involved a newborn with measles antibodies, and the actual cause was a spleen injury. The coroner stated that the infant died from the spleen rupture shortly after birth, with measles antibodies detected postmortem. There was controversy over the initial reporting, as local officials questioned the accuracy of early statements and emphasized the importance of transparency. Pennsylvania officials expressed their condolences and highlighted that measles is preventable and that such deaths are tragic. The situation underscores the need for accurate information and proper reporting of contagious disease fatalities.
One of the measles deaths reported in Pennsylvania was revealed to be that of a newborn infant from Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported on Wednesday. The revelation came after government and health officials refused to provide information about the deceased other than stating both were unvaccinated. However, on Wednesday, details surrounding the deaths began to change, and a coroner in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, said one of the deaths was of a newborn infant, who, with signs of measles antibodies present, died from a lacerated spleen.
Initial reports claimed that two people had died from the measles. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro held a media briefing about the deaths at Lancaster General Health’s Women and Babies Hospital, in which he said the fatalities were indicative of “the consequences of a lack of immunization.” However, as mentioned above, Shapiro and other Pennsylvania officials refused to release any other information about the deceased, claiming they did not want to violate each family’s privacy.
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“We hope, and we pray, that those deaths will be the last,” said Shapiro. “This illness and death from measles is completely preventable.”
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen echoed similar sentiments, expressing condolences to the families who suffered “this unimaginable loss.”
“My deepest sympathies are with the loved ones who are facing this unimaginable loss,” said Bogen. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness. We want to ensure every Pennsylvanian has the information they need to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.”
On Wednesday, classifications of their deaths started being described as the deaths being from measles (as many stories and reports indicated) to “measles-associated deaths.” Pennsylvania health officials describe a “measles-associated death” as an instance when “laboratory or epidemiologic evidence of measles is present, but the official cause of death is under investigation,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Then, Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni allegedly revealed that his office was investigating the death of a newborn who died from a ruptured spleen but had tested positive for measles.
Later, Diamantoni allegedly said in an interview that the cause of death for the newborn was not from the measles but rather the rupturing of the infant’s spleen, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He said measles antibodies were present in postmortem testing; however, the laceration of the spleen was the cause of death.
The Washington Examiner emailed Diamantoni’s office, but had not received a response at the time of publication. The story will be updated accordingly if a response is received.
TWO PENNSYLVANIANS DIE OF MEASLES IN LANCASTER COUNTY HOTBED
The inconsistencies in the original reporting of the deaths, the refusal to provide any information about the deceased, and the coroner’s statement on Wednesday were noticed by Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons. He said initial statements around the death appeared “to be false information” in a social media post on X on Wednesday night.
“This appears to be false information,” Parsons posted. “For the 1st case they are pointing to an infant that died WITH measles, but not FROM it. From our coroner: “Lancaster County Coroner Steve Diamantoni said the cause of death was not from the measles. The newborn died shortly after birth from a laceration of the spleen, although measles antibodies were present in postmortem testing, he said in an interview.”
“The 2nd case there is zero information on,” added Parsons. “They have a responsibility to provide it. Lastly, deaths from contagious disease such as measles ARE required to be reported [sic] the county coroner.”
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