New York Gov.Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency on Monday over a measles outbreak spreading from Pennsylvania.It is the first time an emergency declaration has been issued since measles began surging in the U.S.
in 2025.Pennsylvania has reported 977 measles cases and five deaths as of Oct.2, with most cases centered in rural communities.
Meanwhile, New York has reported 108 cases.WORLD’S MOST CONTAGIOUS VIRUS HITS MAJOR US AIRPORT AS OFFICIALS WARN OF POSSIBLE EXPOSUREKathy Hochul, governor of New York, speaks during a public safety announcement in New York, US, on Friday, Jan.30, 2026.
(Angelina Katsanis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)"No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease," Hochul said in a statement.The U.S.is having its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSIONER ACCUSES SHAPIRO OF 'DECEPTIVE' MEASLES DEATH FRAMING AS RFK JR BLASTS DEM GOVERNORA measles alert sign hangs outside the entrance to the Cohen Children's Medical Center, where the state health department confirmed that a baby tested positive and that there is a possibility of exposure to others at the facility, in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S., March 14, 2025.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)Hochul also issued an executive order expanding the number of health professionals who are approved to administer measles vaccines.DOCTOR SHORTAGES ARE HURTING RURAL PATIENTS.LET PHARMACISTS HELP THEM HEALThe order allows registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles and pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two.
It also requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, while waiving adults’ consent for such reporting.The Pennsylvania and Philadelphia health departments, as well as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, reported last month that they are "wor...