New York has declared a statewide disaster emergency over its measles outbreak, the first such state-level declaration since cases began surging in 2025. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the executive order on Monday, October 5, after the state recorded 108 measles cases this year — 92 of them since July 15 in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties, including seven cases in New York City.
The order, which runs through November 4, expands the categories of health workers authorized to administer the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, in a bid to raise immunization rates in the hardest-hit communities.
The United States is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with roughly 3,887 cases nationwide. Neighbouring Pennsylvania has passed 1,000 cases, with five deaths reported. Health officials continue to urge anyone unvaccinated to get the MMR shot, which they call safe and highly effective.
