New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Measles Outbreak

New York declares state of emergency as measles cases surge, with 108 confirmed cases reported this year.

October 6, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a statewide disaster emergency due to a rising number of measles cases, marking the first such declaration in the U.S. since the outbreak began.

The emergency order, effective from October 5, 2026, and set to expire on November 4, 2026, covers all of New York as the virus spreads across rural areas where vaccination rates are low. The move comes amid a broader national and global increase in measles infections.

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As of October 3, the state has recorded 108 confirmed measles cases this year, with seven in New York City and 101 in other regions. Since July 15, 92 cases have been reported in 18 rural counties, primarily among under-immunized populations. The declaration aims to mobilize resources and boost vaccination efforts to curb the spread.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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