New York governor declares state of emergency after spike in measles cases

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on Monday due to a nationwide surge in measles cases, the first such declaration by a U.S. state since 2025. The state has reported 108 measles cases this year, with 92 cases since July 15 in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties, exceeding typical annual levels. Seven cases are in New York City, while 101 are scattered across the state.

Local health departments have administered over 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas since July 15. Neighboring Pennsylvania is also grappling with an outbreak, with 977 cases and five deaths as of October 2, mostly in rural counties bordering New York, making it the largest state outbreak in over three decades. The emergency order permits registered nurses to order measles tests and pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two.

It mandates immediate reporting of all MMR vaccinations to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, while exempting adult consent for such reporting. Consent from patients or legal guardians remains required for vaccination itself.

The emergency, effective from Monday until November 4, aims to prevent serious illness or death from a vaccine-preventable disease. The U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.