US measles outbreak: State of emergency declared in New York as cases rise

A state of emergency has been declared in New York in response to a growing number of measles cases.

More than 100 cases of the disease have been recorded in New York state so far this year, while local health departments have administered over 1,000 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to state's Department of Health.

On Monday, New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a "state disaster emergency" in an attempt to "strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease".

Ms Hochul also announced that the number of health professionals permitted to test and administer the vaccine would be increased to include paramedics, pharmacists and midwives, with nurses allowed to order testing in addition to doctors.

"These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease," Ms Hochul added.

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Vaccine the 'best protection'

New York state Department of Health commissioner Dr James McDonald said his staff were working closely with local health departments to track and contain the outbreak.

Dr McDonald insisted the MMR vaccine is "the best protection" against the disease, and urged people to "check their vaccination status and make sure that they and their families are protected".

The emergency order remains in effect until at least 4 November and is the first such declaration ​by a US state since measles cases began surging last year.

It comes as the US is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with close to 3,900 cases reported, according to the ​Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Pennsylvania, which borders New York state, five people have died and more than 1,000 cases have been recorded so far this year, making it the largest state outbreak in ​three decades.

All five ⁠people who have died ⁠from the highly contagious disease in Pennsylvania this year were unvaccinated.

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Since 2025, large measles outbreaks have been reported in several other states, including Ohio, Texas, Utah and South Carolina, with health experts attributing such incidents to low vaccination rates.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary and a long-time anti-vaccine activist, has previously praised Donald Trump for his attempts to overhaul vaccine guidance, including an executive order in August that called for a spacing out the MMR vaccine, defying recommendations from medical groups.

Last month, Mr Kennedy told a group of anti-vaxxers that they have a "friend in the White House".

(c) Sky News 2026: US measles outbreak: State of emergency declared in New York as cases rise