New York Issues Disaster Emergency Amid Measles Outbreak

WHO:

CNN - New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency.

CNN - New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald is involved in the response to the outbreak.

WHAT:

NBC News - The CDC reported more than 3,800 cases of measles across 47 states in 2026.

Drudge Report - Pennsylvania measles cases have risen to 1,004, marking a significant increase in the outbreak.

Fox News - Pennsylvania health officials reported that the state's total measles cases have risen to 1,004, marking the largest state outbreak in more than three decades.

CNN - The outbreak in New York is not the largest seen in the past two years; there were at least 762 cases associated with an outbreak in West Texas last year, and an outbreak in South Carolina reached nearly 1,000 cases before it was declared over in April.

CNN - Pennsylvania health officials reported that the state’s total measles cases have passed 1,000, marking the largest state outbreak in more than three decades.

CNN - The emergency order requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, while waiving adults’ consent for such reporting.

CNN - New York has reported 108 measles cases this year through October 3, including 92 since July 15.

CNN - Pennsylvania health officials reported that the state’s total measles cases have passed 1,000, marking the largest state outbreak in more than three decades.

CNN - The U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CNN - New York has reported 108 measles cases this year, including 92 since July 15.

CNN - Seven of the cases are in New York City, while 101 are elsewhere in the state.

CNN - Local health departments have administered more than 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas since July 15.

CNN - The emergency declaration allows registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles and pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two.

CNN - The emergency order requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours.

WHERE:

CNN - The outbreak is occurring in rural communities across 18 counties in New York.

CNN - Pennsylvania is experiencing a fast-spreading outbreak, with cases primarily in rural counties that border New York.

WHEN:

CNN - The emergency declaration took effect on a Monday and runs through November 4.

CNN - The measles outbreak in Pennsylvania had reached 977 cases and five deaths as of October 2.

WHY:

Fox News - Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease," emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

CNN - The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.

CNN - Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, but cases began surging in 2025.

HOW:

CNN - The state expanded the pool of health professionals allowed to administer MMR vaccines as cases rise.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 13:11 UTC)

The CDC has reported over 3,800 cases of measles across 47 states in 2026, highlighting a concerning trend in public health. In Pennsylvania alone, the number of measles cases has surged to 1,004, indicating a significant increase in the outbreak. Health officials are urging communities to take precautions as the situation develops.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 12:00 UTC)

Pennsylvania health officials have reported a significant rise in measles cases, with the total now at 1,004, marking the largest outbreak in the state in over thirty years. Meanwhile, New York is experiencing its own outbreak, but it is not the largest seen recently, as West Texas had at least 762 cases last year and South Carolina approached 1,000 cases before its outbreak was declared over in April. Governor Kathy Hochul has stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease."

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Pennsylvania health officials have reported that the state’s total measles cases have surpassed 1,000, marking the largest outbreak in over three decades. In response, an emergency order has been issued requiring all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, while waiving the need for adults' consent for such reporting. This emergency declaration took effect on a Monday and will remain in place until November 4.

(UPDATED October 5, 2026 23:58 UTC)

The U.S. is currently facing its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New York, there have been 108 measles cases this year through October 3, including 92 cases since July 15. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania health officials have announced that the state’s total measles cases have surpassed 1,000, marking the largest outbreak in over three decades.

(UPDATED October 5, 2026 23:02 UTC)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a statewide disaster emergency in response to a significant measles outbreak, which has seen 108 reported cases this year, including 92 since mid-July. The emergency declaration, effective through November 4, allows registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles and enables pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two, while local health departments have already administered over 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas. This outbreak is particularly concerning as it spreads across 18 counties in New York and is mirrored by a fast-growing situation in neighboring Pennsylvania, which has reported 977 cases and five deaths.