The New York State Department of Health launched its new Measles Dashboard, allowing the public and healthcare officials to track local risks and raise awareness about rising measles cases in the state.
“Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, we are working closely with local health departments and regional partners to track and contain this recent uptick in measles cases,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement.
“Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness and hospitalizations, yet it is effectively prevented with up-to-date measles immunizations. I urge New Yorkers to check their vaccination status and make sure that they and their families are protected. I also ask health providers to be prepared to diagnose and treat any measles they encounter.”
Measles in NY schools
As students return to school this month, New York counties are responding to a rise in measles cases and communicating as needed with districts and parents.
A Cornell University study revealed recently that despite the state’s high immunization rates in schools, there are pockets of New York that present risks as infection rates continue to rise well above what they were at the end of last summer.
➤ Click here to see what officials in the Binghamton area are saying about protecting students from the potentially deadly disease.
➤ Click here to see the New York Measles Dashboard
NY measles dashboard by countyNY measles dashboard by dateWhat does the measles outbreak in 2026 look like in New York?
As of Sept. 12, there have been six confirmed measles cases in New York City and 51 outside the city, part of a rising trend in global and domestic cases. There have been a growing number of cases in upstate New York, including the first in Chemung County, which the county health department said on Sept. 14 affected an unvaccinated resident.
The cases identified in the state are associated with both local transmission and domestic travel.
The department is working with county health departments and local partners to closely monitor and investigate all reported cases, and provide the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to any unvaccinated people who request it. Monitoring and investigation activities, such as contact tracing, are ways public health officials work to keep affected communities safe.
Anyone who is contacted during these activities is encouraged to be responsive so that important information can be shared to prevent more infections.
All New Yorkers are urged to protect themselves by making sure they are up to date on their MMR vaccines and be aware of health advisories when traveling with unvaccinated people, especially young children.
Infants 6 to 11 months old can receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine for protection before travel or if they are otherwise at risk of being exposed.
What is measles, including symptoms
Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease that causes rashes and fever. In some cases, measles can reduce the immune system’s ability to fight other infections like pneumonia.
Measles is caused by a virus that is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. Individuals can catch the disease by breathing in the virus or, less commonly, by touching a contaminated surface, then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
Serious complications of measles include hospitalization, pneumonia, miscarriage, preterm birth, brain swelling, immune amnesia and death. Long-term serious complications can also include subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a brain disease resulting from an earlier measles infection that can lead to permanent brain damage years after the initial infection.
The department has released a health advisory for healthcare providers on clinical guidance for measles.
Measles vaccine available for most residents
The department’s travel advisory urging New Yorkers to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles before international travel or travel to an area in the country experiencing an outbreak can be found by visiting .health.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/2025-04-02_tavel_advisory.htm.
Healthcare providers should report suspected measles cases to their local health department. Information on how to contact a local health department can be found by visiting health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information.
Visit the department’s dedicated measles website at health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles for information about measles, current case numbers, immunization data and information for providers.
More information about the measles vaccine can be found by visiting cdc.gov/vaccines/by-disease.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: New York launches measles dashboard as cases rise statewide