New York Declares Measles Emergency as Cases Rise Across Pennsylvania

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a statewide emergency over a growing measles outbreak linked to rising cases in neighboring Pennsylvania. The emergency declaration, issued Monday, marks the first such action since measles cases began increasing sharply across the United States in 2025.

Health officials are closely monitoring the spread as cases continue to rise in several communities. The declaration is intended to strengthen the state’s ability to respond to the outbreak and expand access to vaccination and testing.

Pennsylvania Reports Nearly 1,000 Cases

Pennsylvania has recorded 977 measles cases and five deaths as of Oct. 2, with the majority of infections concentrated in rural communities. New York has reported 108 cases during the ongoing outbreak.

The wider U.S. outbreak has also reached levels not seen in decades. Nearly 3,900 measles cases have been reported nationwide, making 2025 the country’s worst year for measles infections since 1991, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread quickly among people who are not adequately vaccinated. Health authorities have therefore emphasized vaccination and early identification of suspected infections as important measures for limiting transmission.

Executive Order Expands Vaccination Access

Alongside the emergency declaration, Hochul issued an executive order expanding the number of healthcare professionals authorized to provide measles-related services.

Under the order, registered nurses will be permitted to order tests for people suspected of having measles. Pharmacists will also be allowed to administer measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines to children as young as 2 years old.

The order further requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to New York state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours. It also removes the need for adult consent for such reporting, allowing health authorities to maintain more timely vaccination records.

Health Departments Coordinate Response

Authorities in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, along with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, are coordinating efforts to limit further transmission. Last month, the organizations said they were working together to ensure infants who may have been exposed receive a preventive antibody treatment intended to reduce the risk or severity of measles.

Officials are also taking additional measures to identify exposed individuals and prevent further spread as the outbreak continues.

The emergency declaration underscores the growing concern among health authorities as measles infections increase across multiple U.S. communities.

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