New York State Declares Measles Outbreak Emergency

What started earlier this year as just a couple of cases seems like it has developed into a full-blown outbreak in the Empire State, as more than 100 people have tested positive for Measles across more than a dozen New York counties and more than 1,000 emergency doses of the MMR vaccine have been administered over the last few months.

According to the New York State Department of Health and the Governor's office, the number of cases of the deadly disease has increased substantially over the last few months, with the greatest number in the state's more rural and central counties.

As more people forgo becoming vaccinated against some of these deadly diseases, we're seeing an increase in the number of infections and deaths that are generally preventable. However, as bad as the outbreak is in the Empire State, New York's direct southern neighbor, Pennsylvania, has seen nearly 1,000 confirmed cases of measles, with at least five dead. As states around the nation battle measles, that number is only expected to grow.

After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease. No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.
-Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State

Under the terms of the Governor's Executive Order, the number of MMR vaccines that are available is being increased, along with the medical professionals that can give the vaccine. Now, in addition to medical doctors and nurses, paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists, and midwives can administer the MMR vaccine.

New York State Department of Health

State officials have also launched a Measles Dashboard that allows people to monitor the number of confirmed infections and vaccination rates across the state.