New York declares measles disaster emergency as Pennsylvania passes 1,000 cases

6 October 2026

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency over measles on Monday.
The state has recorded 108 cases this year as of 3 October, 92 of them since 15 July in rural, under-immunised communities.
The order is in effect until 4 November and lets paramedics and midwives give MMR vaccines.
Pennsylvania reported more than 1,000 cases this year, the biggest outbreak in a US state since the early 1990s.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the national count at 3,869, which is seen as the worst year since 1991.
Experts say vaccination must stay at 95 per cent or above to prevent outbreaks.
The Pan American Health Organization meets in November to decide whether the US and Mexico keep measles-free status.