Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on Monday after a surge in measles cases across rural New York and nearby states.
Hochul issued the executive order to allow the state to respond swiftly to the measles outbreak and allow healthcare professionals to vaccinate more New Yorkers against the highly contagious disease.
As of Saturday, there have been seven confirmed cases in New York City and 101 cases in the rest of the Empire State this year.
Since mid-July, a whopping 92 cases have broken out in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties.
Otsego County in Central New York has the most measles cases of any county in the state, with 20 infections since January, data shows.
“After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease,” Hochul said in a statement.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.”
The executive order will specifically expand a pool of eligible people who can administer the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine to paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists, and midwives, in addition to physicians.
Nurses will also be allowed to order measles testing, state officials said.
The state is also providing epidemiological support to investigate measles cases, conduct contact tracing, and expedite laboratory testing.
New York’s state disaster emergency comes as Pennsylvania is seeing the worst measles outbreak in three decades.
Pennsylvania has had 1,004 measles cases this year, including 106 new cases in the last week alone.
This year’s outbreak in the Keystone State is the worst since 1991 and has killed a total of five people.
The highly contagious virus spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk, and can infect an unvaccinated person up to two hours after someone with the illness leaves a room or airspace.
Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash. If the terrifying virus progresses, it can lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.
A rash of flat red spots on the face, neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet may also appear three to five days after symptoms begin.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine — the first administered at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
Those traveling domestically or internationally should plan to be fully vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before departing.
“I appreciate Governor Hochul’s swift action to help address ongoing measles cases. Department staff are working closely with local health departments and regional partners to track and contain the current measles outbreak,” New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald added in a statement.
“The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is the best protection — protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses,” McDonald said.
As of Thursday, there have been 3,887 measles cases nationwide since the start of the year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The concerning surge of cases comes as CDC data revealed that just 92.4% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine in the 2025-2026 school year.
Vaccination rates have fallen from 95.2% in the 2019 to 2020 school year.
“The concerning rise in measles cases is due to a decrease in childhood vaccines driven by misinformation and is causing a public health emergency,” said state Sen. Gustavo Rivera.
“I support Governor Hochul’s efforts to expand vaccine access and join her in calling on all New Yorkers to get their vaccinations to prevent the spread of diseases like measles and the flu, which pose a greater risk to vulnerable populations,” Rivera said.
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