Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency on Monday in response to a growing number of measles cases in New York and nearby states.
The order gives the state more authority to expand vaccination and testing efforts for the highly contagious respiratory disease, which has resurged in recent years due to drops in vaccination sparked by conspiracy theories and misinformation about vaccine safety.
The governor issued the executive order (EO) on Oct. 5 as the state reported 108 confirmed measles cases this year. This includes seven in NYC and 101 outside the city, according to the NYS Dept. of Health.
“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,” Hochul said.
Under the EO, health professionals, including paramedics, advanced emergency medical services providers, pharmacists, and others, will now be able to give the measles vaccine. It also allows nurses, in addition to doctors, to order measles testing.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test,” the governor added. “These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.”
A press release from the governor’s office said the EO is intended to help the state respond more quickly to the outbreak and increase access to vaccinations and testing.
Since July 15, 92 measles cases have been reported among under-immunized rural communities in 18 counties, state officials said. There is a Measles Dashboard where residents and health officials can track cases and local health risks and raise awareness about the disease.
Nationwide, measles is rapidly increasing in other states, too, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2026 so far, there have been 3,887 total cases, compared to just 2,289 for the entire year of 2025. In 2026, 95% of the patients were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown; in 2025, that number was 93%.
The CDC explained that when measles gets into communities of unvaccinated people in the United States, outbreaks can occur. The agency defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. However, when the disease gets into a community that has a lower vaccination rate, it can spread quickly and cause larger outbreaks.
Health officials in New York said vaccination is the best way to prevent getting measles.
“The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is the best protection — protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses,” said James McDonald, MD, NYS Health Commissioner. “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 cases they encounter.”
Symptoms of measles
Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after infection, although they can take up to 21 days to develop, the state health department explained. Early symptoms usually include a high fever, which can go above 104 degrees when a rash appears, along with a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
About three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash typically develops. It usually starts as flat, red spots along the hairline before spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. Small raised bumps may appear on top of the spots, which can join together as the rash spreads across the body.
A small number of people who get the disease need to be hospitalized, the department said.
More information about measles is available at health.ny.gov.