New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide disaster emergency on Monday in response to a measles outbreak, marking the first such declaration by a U.S. state since cases began rising in 2025. The order expands the group of health professionals permitted to administer measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines and allows registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles, while pharmacists may vaccinate children as young as two. All MMR vaccinations must be reported to state or New York City immunisation registries within 72 hours, though adult consent remains required for vaccination itself. The emergency took effect immediately and will remain in place until November 4.

As of October 3, New York has recorded 108 measles cases this year, including 92 since July 15 in under-immunised rural communities across 18 counties, far exceeding typical annual numbers. Local health departments have administered over 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas since mid-July. Seven of the cases are in New York City; the remaining 101 are in other parts of the state. The governor’s office noted that neighbouring Pennsylvania is experiencing a rapidly expanding outbreak, with 977 cases and five deaths reported as of October 2, primarily in rural counties that border New York. Pennsylvania health officials confirmed that the state’s total case count has surpassed 1,000, representing the largest outbreak in the state in more than three decades.

The United States is confronting its worst measles year since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The emergency declaration underscores growing concerns about vaccine-preventable diseases in under-immunised communities and reflects efforts to strengthen surveillance and response capabilities at the state level.