New York declares first US measles disaster emergency since 2025

by@Reuters

Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a statewide disaster emergency in response to a measles outbreak, marking the first such declaration in the U.S. since the surge of cases began in 2025. As part of this response, the state has expanded the pool of healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and pharmacists, authorized to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines. New York has reported 108 measles cases this year, with the majority occurring in under-immunized rural communities, and neighboring Pennsylvania is also facing a serious outbreak, highlighting the regional impact of the ongoing measles crisis. The U.S. is experiencing its most significant measles outbreak in decades, with nearly 3,900 cases reported this year according to federal health authorities.

Analysis

New York: New York is a northeastern U.S. state with major urban centers and rural communities. It declared a statewide disaster emergency due to a measles outbreak concentrated in under-immunized rural areas across multiple counties. Kathy Hochul: Kathy Hochul serves as the Governor of New York. She issued the disaster emergency declaration and expanded the pool of healthcare professionals authorized to administer MMR vaccines in response to the outbreak. Regional Impact: Neighboring Pennsylvania is experiencing a fast-spreading measles outbreak primarily in rural counties bordering New York. National Context: The U.S. is having its worst year for measles in decades according to federal health authorities. Public Health Response: The state expanded authorization for registered nurses and pharmacists to support measles testing and vaccination efforts.

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