New York—New York State has declared a disaster emergency due to a surge in measles cases, a move aimed at accelerating the public health response and expanding access to testing and vaccination.
Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul issued the executive order
on Monday, October 5, making New York the first U.S. state to adopt such a
declaration since the current measles outbreak began in 2025. The measure will
remain in effect until November 4.
As of October 3, New York authorities had recorded 108 cases
of measles in 2026. Of these, 92 were reported since July 15 in rural
communities with low immunization rates, spread across 18 counties. Seven cases
were in New York City, and the remaining cases were concentrated in other areas
of the state.
The emergency declaration will allow for an expansion of the
number of professionals authorized to administer the MMR (measles, mumps, and
rubella) vaccine. Paramedics, advanced life support personnel, pharmacists, and
midwives will be able to participate in vaccination campaigns, while registered
nurses will be able to order tests for individuals suspected of having measles.
The order also stipulates that MMR vaccine administrations
must be reported to the state or New York City registries within 72 hours.
Vaccination, however, continues to require the consent of the patient or their
legal representative, when applicable.
The situation is further complicated by the outbreak in
neighboring Pennsylvania, where the outbreak has surpassed 1,000 cases and
resulted in five deaths, making it the largest statewide measles outbreak in
the United States in more than three decades.
Nationally, the United States is approaching 3,900 cases of
measles in 2026, representing the worst annual record since 1991, according to
figures cited by health authorities.