New York Declares Emergency as Measles Outbreak Hits Record High

New York Declares State of Emergency as Measles Outbreak Hits Record High

October 6

Due to a record surge in measles infections in the US state of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide state of emergency starting October 5.

This marks the first time a US state has issued such a natural disaster emergency declaration after measles cases resurged nationwide in 2025.

As of October 3, New York state has recorded 108 measles cases this year, with 92 of them detected after July 15 across 18 counties in rural areas with low vaccination rates. Among the infected, 7 are in New York City and 101 are in other parts of the state.

Under the emergency order issued to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible, registered nurses are authorized to order laboratory tests for suspected cases, and pharmacists have been granted expanded authority to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella combination vaccine (MMR vaccine) to children as young as 2 years old.

In neighboring Pennsylvania, which borders New York, measles infections have exceeded 1,000, marking the state's highest caseload in more than three decades. As of October 2, there have been 977 cases and 5 deaths.

Nationwide, this year is on track to become the year with the most measles cases since 1991, with nearly 3,900 infections reported, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New York's emergency order took effect on October 5 and will remain in force for one month, through November 4.

Ref & Photo: Reuters

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