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New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide state of emergency Monday following a measles outbreak spreading from Pennsylvania.
This is the first time an emergency declaration has been issued since measles began spreading in the United States in 2025.
Pennsylvania reported 977 measles cases and five deaths as of October 2, with most cases concentrated in rural communities. Meanwhile, New York reported 108 cases.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a public safety announcement in New York on Friday, January 30, 2026. (Angelina Katsanis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Hochul said in a statement.
The United States is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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A measles warning sign hangs outside the entrance to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where the state health department has confirmed that a baby has tested positive and there is a possibility of exposure to others at the facility, in New Hyde Park, New York, March 14, 2025. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
Hochul also issued an executive order increasing the number of health professionals authorized to administer measles vaccines.
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The order authorizes registered nurses to order measles tests and pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as 2 years old. It also requires that all MMR vaccinations be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, while waiving adult consent for such reporting.
The Pennsylvania and Philadelphia health departments, along with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, reported last month that they were “working closely to ensure that potentially exposed infants receive an antibody preventative product to prevent or mitigate serious illness and take steps to prevent the spread of measles” amid the outbreak.
Sherry Andrews, right, holds the hand of 13-month-old Jaqi Herrera after giving Herrera the first dose of the MMR vaccine at the Lubbock City Health Department in Lubbock, Texas, February 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson wrote that measles exposures “remind us how important it is for all of us to be up to date on our vaccinations.”
The Department of Health advised that anyone who has been exposed and is not immunized, unsure of their vaccination status, is an infant, is pregnant and not immunized, or is immunocompromised should contact their doctor.
The girl is examined by a doctor for measles. (iStock)
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“Some people may still be eligible for treatment after exposure that can prevent measles or reduce the severity of the disease,” the department wrote. “Anyone developing symptoms should call ahead before visiting a healthcare facility and inform the provider of possible measles exposure.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be fatal in one to three patients per 1,000 cases, data shows.
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The virus can cause long-term health problems, including pneumonia and brain swelling. Nearly 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Gn Health
