New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on October 5 in response to a significant measles outbreak, marking the first such declaration by a state since cases began rising in 2025. The emergency order aims to address the surge in infections, particularly in under-immunized rural communities.

Since July 15, New York has reported 92 of the 108 total measles cases recorded through October 3, spanning 18 counties outside New York City. The remaining seven cases are located within the city itself. To combat the outbreak, local health departments have administered over 1,000 measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine doses in rural areas during this period.

The order expands the authority of health professionals, allowing registered nurses to order diagnostic tests for suspected measles cases and permitting pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two years old. It also mandates that all MMR vaccinations be reported to the state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours. In an effort to streamline reporting, the order waives the usual requirement for adult patients’ consent for their vaccination registration; however, consent for vaccination itself remains necessary from the patient or a legal guardian. The emergency declaration is set to remain in effect until November 4.

The outbreak in New York is part of a broader regional trend, with neighboring Pennsylvania facing a more severe situation. As of October 2, Pennsylvania had reported 977 measles cases and five deaths, predominantly in rural counties adjacent to New York. Pennsylvania health officials recently confirmed that total case numbers have surpassed 1,000, marking the state’s largest measles outbreak in over 30 years.

Nationally, the United States is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported in 2026, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Governor Hochul emphasized the preventable nature of the disease, stating, “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.” The emergency measures aim to curb the outbreak’s spread and increase vaccination rates in vulnerable communities.