Measles surge prompts state of emergency in New York

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as measles cases surge across the state and neighbouring areas. New York has recorded 108 confirmed cases so far this year, a dramatic increase from just one in 2023, according to The Guardian. Most cases have been reported in rural communities outside New York City. The emergency declaration expands the number of health professionals authorised to administer measles vaccines and allows more people to order testing as authorities respond to the outbreak. Hochul said the measures were necessary to strengthen efforts to contain the disease. “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” she said, adding that the measures would help protect New Yorkers and support communities affected by the outbreak. Pennsylvania, which borders New York, has also recorded a significant increase in cases, with five deaths and 198 hospitalisations reported. The state surpassed 1,000 measles cases on Monday, while Ohio has also experienced an increase. New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio have sizeable Amish populations, where vaccination rates tend to be lower. Health officials have linked declining vaccination rates to the spread of measles. The US is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York recorded 15 measles cases in 2024 and 48 in 2025, before the number rose sharply this year. The Trump administration’s Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has faced criticism over his handling of the outbreak. Kennedy, who was previously known for his anti-vaccine activism, addressed an anti-vaccine conference in Washington, DC, in September as cases continued to rise. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has criticised Kennedy’s handling of the outbreak, with the two also clashing over the classification of measles-related deaths. State Senator Gustavo Rivera, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said the rise in cases was linked to declining childhood vaccination rates and misinformation. At least 95 per cent of a community needs to be vaccinated against measles to prevent outbreaks, according to health officials.