Aubrey Whelan

The state has now reported four measles-related deaths amid a growing outbreak that has sickened nearly 700 people this year.

The report comes amid a major measles outbreak in Pennsylvania that has sickened nearly 700 people.

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak so far has sickened 676 people and hospitalized 124.

Shapiro, a Democrat, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Republican U.S. Health secretary, have clashed over the state's announcement of two deaths associated with a growing measles outbreak.

The deaths are the first associated with the highly contagious disease in Pennsylvania in 35 years and occurred amid a major measles outbreak that has sickened nearly 400 people this year.

Pennsylvania has reported 379 patients diagnosed with measles in two separate outbreaks so far this year.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration will “continue to give Pennsylvanians clear public health guidance based on science and facts.”

The intestinal parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which causes “explosive” diarrhea, had contaminated lettuce sold in 15 states, including Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to spread across the state, with 18 counties affected and 232 cases reported so far this year, including more than two dozen in the Philadelphia region.

The tool’s release comes after months of reporting from The Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette showed plummeting vaccination rates in schools across the state.