Pennsylvania, which is battling a measles outbreak that’s seen 767 cases in 38 counties and four deaths as of Sept. 18, is locked in a fight with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) over how to count those fatalities. Now, the commonwealth has asked the CDC for help, Reuters reported.

The request comes on condition that the federal agency recognizes four measles-associated deaths reported by the commonwealth. The commonwealth’s measles outbreak has become the focus of a standoff between Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat. Kennedy has cast doubt on whether deaths reported in U.S. measles outbreaks since he took office were due to the virus or ​another cause, and instructed the CDC not to include the Pennsylvania fatalities in a national tally.

On Sept. 15, the Pennsylvania health department confirmed two additional measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania. Both individuals were unvaccinated. One individual lived in Jefferson County and the other lived in Mifflin County. As CMM previously reported, the Jefferson County coroner confirmed that county’s fatality was a 40-year-old unvaccinated woman with underlying conditions. CNN reported that the Mifflin County coroner confirmed an 18-year-old died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a rare neurological condition that can occur after an infection. One of every 1,000 kids with measles will develop encephalitis, or brain swelling, according to the CDC.

Before announcing these cases as measles-associated deaths, Pennsylvania health officials conducted rigorous investigations in cooperation with the Jefferson and Mifflin County coroner’s offices. These investigations included confirming clinical evidence of a measles infection, a positive laboratory test and that the death was not due to an unrelated cause. That process aligns with the health department’s detailed epidemiological case definition for determining a measles-associated death, which is available at pa.gov/measles. Additional factors, such as whether the individual was exposed to measles prior to their death and supporting medical records, were also considered, it said.

The Pennsylvania health department completed similar investigations when it reported two measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County on August 25, Pennsylvania’s first deaths of this kind in 35 years.

One of the fatalities announced last week occurred in Mifflin County, which now ⁠has the ​second-highest number of cases in the state (83 confirmed) and is located over 100 miles from the outbreak’s initial epicenter in Lancaster ​County, which has reported 308 cases, the health department reported.

Doctors recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine as the best way to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, the CDC said. As of Sept. 16, the Pennsylvania health department has administered nearly 7,000 MMR vaccine doses this year. 

As CMM previously reported, the U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991. Additionally, CNN reported the last time there were four deaths related to measles in one year was 1992. Last year, three U.S. deaths were confirmed from measles—two in Texas and one in New Mexico. 

As of Sept. 17, the CDC has confirmed 3,347 measles cases in 45 states and the District of Columbia. For 2025, a total of 2,289 confirmed measles cases were reported in the U.S.

ISSA, The Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions, has announced its 2026 class of Emerging Leaders, recognizing a distinguished group of rising professionals who are helping shape the future of the global cleaning and facility solutions industry.

Selected from almost 100 nominations, the 30-member 2026 class represents the breadth and diversity of the industry, with honorees from manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, distributors, building service contractors, in-house service providers, and other sectors across the cleaning and facility solutions community.

The honorees were selected for their leadership, innovation, professional accomplishments and commitment to advancing the industry. Each represents the next generation of professionals bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the challenges and opportunities facing the cleaning and facility solutions sector.

“The strength and future of our industry depend on the people who are willing to lead, innovate and bring new perspectives to the table,” said ISSA Executive Director Kim Althoff. “This year’s Emerging Leaders class represents an impressive group of professionals who are already making an impact within their organizations and across our industry. ISSA is proud to recognize their accomplishments and help create opportunities for them to connect, grow and continue developing as the next generation of industry leaders.”

The ISSA Emerging Leaders Program was created to recognize and support up-and-coming talent across the cleaning and facility solutions industry. In addition to industry recognition, participants have opportunities to build their professional networks, develop leadership skills, connect with peers and industry experts and gain greater visibility through ISSA’s media and events.

New for 2026, members of the Emerging Leaders class are also eligible for two additional honors: the Community Impact Award, recognizing an individual making a meaningful difference through volunteerism and service within their organization and community; and Sales Leader of the Year, recognizing a high-performing sales professional who has demonstrated exceptional results and leadership through sales excellence. Both honors will be selected by a panel of industry leaders and peers.

The class will also be eligible for the ISSA Rising Star Award in Honor of Jimmy Core, which recognizes an Emerging Leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership and influence. Public voting for the ISSA Rising Star Award is open now. The winner will be recognized at ISSA Show North America.

The 2026 ISSA Emerging Leaders Class includes:

• Areli Barlow, Verde Clean LLC
• Gloria Berwick, Champion Cleaning Services of New Jersey LLC
• Andrew Bortolussi, Callico Distributors
• Melanie Boyd, Network Distribution
• Jameka Carter, Imperial Brady
• Mathieu Champagne, Groupe MMI
• Trace Ferreira, CCS Facility Services
• Alec Germond, Sunbelt Rental
• Jeffrey Giannoni, Service by Medallion
• Caleb Groen, Tennant Company
• Ryan Harris, Auburn University
• Ian Hossfeld, City Wide Facility Solutions–San Diego
• Luisa Huguett, Munich Airport New Jersey LLC
• Kyle Jefferson, KleenMark
• Channing Johnson, KB Building Services
• Brad Kenny, Nilfisk
• John Lechtenberg, Corporate Cleaning Group
• Jeremy Leon, LJ’s Cleaning Solutions
• Will Lewis, Tolco
• Matt Meridieth, Clorox Purell
• Rex Moon, GP PRO
• Kimberly Neira, Lindenmeyr Munroe
• Austen O’Reilly, ABM Industries
• Alex Regalado, Rozalado Services
• Tom Rosenthal, Janitors Supply Co. Inc.
• McLain Scales, Greenville Office Supply
• Matthew Vickers, R.J. Schinner Co. Inc.
• Christian Williford, APEX Commercial Cleaning
• Miguel Zamora, Ecobrite Services
• Ri Zheng, Central Park Conservancy

For more information about the ISSA Emerging Leaders Program and the ISSA Rising Star Award, visit issa.com/emerging-leaders-program.