New York declares state disaster emergency over rising measles cases. Here's what that means

Key Points:

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency due to a rising measles outbreak, with 108 cases reported in 2025, primarily in 18 rural counties with low vaccination rates.
• The emergency order allows expanded vaccination authority to pharmacists, EMTs, and midwives, permits nurses to order testing for suspected cases, and mandates reporting of all MMR vaccinations within 72 hours.
• Pennsylvania is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, with over 1,000 cases, nearly 200 hospitalizations, and five deaths, contributing to a national surge with nearly 4,000 cases confirmed this year.
• The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine for effective prevention, but vaccination rates have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased vaccine exemptions among schoolchildren contributing to vulnerability.
• Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to control the outbreak, noting that most measles cases occur in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.