New York State in the United States has declared a state of emergency over a measles outbreak. Governor Kathy Hochul has temporarily expanded the authority of medical workers to administer the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella, Al Jazeera reports.
As of October 3, 108 measles cases had been recorded in the state this year. Seven cases were reported in New York City, while another 101 were recorded in other parts of the state. The state of emergency will remain in effect until November 4.
According to Hochul’s declaration, 92 cases have been recorded in several rural communities in the state since July 15. Vaccination rates in these communities are insufficient. This is the first such declaration since the number of measles cases began to rise in 2025.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
In neighboring Pennsylvania, the number of measles cases this year has exceeded 1,000. According to officials, this is the largest outbreak in the United States in the past three decades. Cases have also been recorded in Texas, Utah, Ohio and South Carolina.
Public health experts link the resurgence of measles to vaccination coverage falling below 95%, which they say is necessary to prevent outbreaks. Critics believe the decline in vaccination coverage was influenced by the anti-vaccination movement, which has gained supporters in the administration of US President Donald Trump, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The United States eliminated domestic measles transmission by 2000. In November, representatives of the Pan American Health Organization are to determine whether the United States and Mexico will retain their measles-free status or whether that status will be reviewed.
