Measles Outbreak in New York: State Declares Disaster Emergency as Cases Rise
October 6, 2026
New York has declared a statewide disaster emergency as health officials respond to a growing measles outbreak, with cases increasing sharply in rural and under-immunized communities across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued the emergency declaration on October 5 after New York recorded 108 confirmed measles cases in 2026 through October 3. Of those cases, 101 were reported outside New York City and seven were reported in New York City.
The latest increase has been particularly concentrated in rural areas. According to the governor’s office, 92 cases have been reported since July 15 across 18 counties, prompting state and local health officials to step up vaccination and outbreak-response efforts.
New York Declares Disaster Emergency Over Measles Outbreak
The emergency order took effect immediately on October 5 and is scheduled to remain in effect through November 4, 2026.
The order is intended to make it easier for health officials to respond to suspected and confirmed measles cases and increase access to vaccination in communities where immunization coverage is low.
Under the emergency measures, New York has expanded the group of healthcare professionals who can administer the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The order includes professionals such as paramedics, advanced emergency medical service providers, midwives and pharmacists.
It also allows registered nurses to order diagnostic testing for suspected measles cases, expanding the state’s capacity to identify infections more quickly.
The order also requires MMR vaccinations to be reported to the appropriate New York State or New York City immunization registry within 72 hours. Patient or legal guardian consent is still required before the vaccine is administered.
How Many Measles Cases Are in New York?
New York has reported 108 measles cases so far in 2026, according to information cited in the governor’s emergency order.
The breakdown is:
- 108 total cases statewide
- 101 cases outside New York City
- 7 cases in New York City
- 92 cases reported since July 15
- Cases since July 15 have been identified across 18 rural counties
The situation has changed considerably since September. On September 12, New York had reported 57 cases for the year — six in New York City and 51 elsewhere in the state.
New York City itself has reported seven confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of October 2, according to the city’s health department. The city continues to update its case count weekly.
More Than 1,000 MMR Doses Given in Rural New York
Vaccination has become a major part of New York’s response.
Local health departments have administered more than 1,000 MMR vaccine doses in rural areas since July 15, according to the governor’s office.
The state has urged residents to check whether they and their children are up to date with recommended immunizations, particularly the MMR vaccine.
New York’s health department launched a dedicated measles dashboard in September to help residents and healthcare professionals track the situation and understand local risks.
Measles Outbreak Is Also Affecting Nearby Pennsylvania
New York’s emergency declaration comes as neighboring Pennsylvania deals with a much larger measles outbreak.
Pennsylvania had reported 1,004 measles cases as of October 5, according to state health officials. The outbreak has resulted in hospitalizations and deaths and is now considered the largest state measles outbreak in more than three decades.
The spread in Pennsylvania is significant for New York because some of the affected communities are geographically close to New York and other northeastern states.
Health officials are therefore watching transmission across state borders as they work to identify cases and prevent additional spread.
Measles Cases Are Rising Across the United States
The New York outbreak is part of a much broader resurgence of measles in the United States.
The CDC reported 3,887 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. as of October 1, 2026. The agency also reported 42 new outbreaks during the year, with approximately 95% of confirmed U.S. cases associated with outbreaks.
The 2026 total is already substantially higher than the 2,289 confirmed cases reported nationwide during all of 2025.
Measles had been declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning sustained domestic transmission had been interrupted. However, imported infections can spread when they reach communities where vaccination coverage is insufficient.
Why Measles Can Spread Quickly
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes.
People who are not immune can become infected after exposure, and outbreaks can grow rapidly in communities with lower vaccination coverage.
New York City health officials say measles can cause fever and a characteristic rash and can lead to serious health complications. They also note that measles continues to circulate in many countries and can be brought into the United States by travelers or visitors.
What New York Residents Should Know
Health officials are encouraging New Yorkers to check their vaccination records and make sure they are up to date with recommended immunizations.
Parents and caregivers should also check whether children have received the recommended MMR vaccinations.
People who develop symptoms that could be consistent with measles should contact a healthcare provider before arriving at a medical facility, because measles is highly contagious and advance notice can help healthcare workers reduce exposure to other patients.
Travelers should pay particular attention to measles vaccination recommendations before traveling internationally, as measles remains common in many parts of the world.
What Happens Next?
New York’s disaster emergency is currently scheduled to remain in effect through November 4, 2026.
During the emergency period, state and local health authorities are expected to continue vaccination campaigns, surveillance, testing and contact-tracing efforts in affected communities.
The state’s response will also depend on whether new cases continue to emerge in the 18 counties where transmission has recently been reported.
For now, officials are focusing on increasing vaccination coverage and identifying infections quickly to prevent the outbreak from expanding further.
Latest Update
As of October 6, 2026, New York has reported 108 measles cases this year, including 92 cases since July 15 in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties. New York City has reported seven cases. Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide disaster emergency took effect October 5 and is scheduled to remain in place through November 4.