Health · Public Health & Disease · 3 hrs ago
New York Declares Measles Emergency as U.S. Cases Top 4,000
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on October 5 as measles cases rose in the state.
New York has confirmed more than 100 cases this year, with some of the highest totals in Otsego, Seneca and Steuben counties.
Nationwide, more than 4,000 cases have been confirmed, making 2026 the worst year for measles in the United States since 1991.
Measles spreads easily, especially among people who are not vaccinated, and can cause serious illness or death.
State vaccination rates are reported at 80.9 percent, below the 95 percent level the World Health Organization says is needed for community-wide protection.
The emergency order allows paramedics, pharmacists and midwives to administer vaccines, and state health staff are working with local partners to track and contain the outbreak.
The order is set to remain in effect until November 4, 2026.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency on Oct. 5 as measles cases rose across the state.
More than 4,000 measles cases have been confirmed nationally, almost twice the total reported in 2025.
New York has confirmed more than 100 cases since the start of 2026, with rural counties among the hardest hit.
The emergency measures expand the number of health professionals eligible to administer vaccines and test for measles.
The order is set to remain in effect until Nov. 4, 2026.
- Who
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the emergency.
- What
- She declared a State Disaster Emergency and introduced measures to strengthen efforts to address the measles outbreak.
- When
- Oct. 5, 2026. The order is set to remain in effect until Nov. 4.
- Where
- New York State; the article also reports more than 4,000 confirmed cases across the United States.
- Why
- Measles cases are rising in New York and nationally. The measures are intended to strengthen efforts to tackle the outbreak.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
New York confirmed more than 100 measles cases.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency.
The emergency order is set to remain in effect until this date.
- U.S. cases
- More than 4,000 confirmed
- New York cases
- More than 100 since the start of 2026
- Emergency declared
- Oct. 5, 2026
- Emergency ends
- Nov. 4, 2026
- Expanded vaccine providers
- Paramedics, pharmacists, and midwives
What people are saying
No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease
The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is the best protection — protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses
The concerning rise in measles cases is due to a decrease in childhood vaccines driven by misinformation and is causing a public health emergency
Sources
Related news
Singapore flu activity reaches highest level since weekly records began in 2024
NSW warns against handling bats after 43 people are bitten or scratched
Lancet commission warns nuclear war and malicious AI could threaten humanity by 2100
Tokat suspends classes as thousands seek care for stomach symptoms
WHO says cause of Russian lab worker’s death remains unknown
UK confirms 3,081 bluetongue outbreaks as all Scotland becomes restricted zone
PAHO warns mass religious events could spread measles in South America
Experts identify 17 major health threats, including two with extinction potential
13,505 girls vaccinated against HPV in Kozhikode district
WHO report highlights uncertainty over Russian lab worker's death
