ALBANY, N.Y. (WETM) – The New York State Department of Health has announced the launch of a measles dashboard to monitor rising measles cases in rural areas of the state.

According to a release from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), the state has launched a new Measles Dashboard, which allows the public and health officials to track local health risks and raise awareness about measles.

18 News has been reporting on multiple cases that have been springing up in the Twin Tiers, particularly in Steuben County. According to the latest on the Measles Dashboard, Steuben County is the worst-affected county in the state, with 10 active cases as of Tuesday, Sept. 15, counting for 20% of all cases statewide.

 RELATED STORY: Steuben County now at 10 measles cases 

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), measles cases nationwide have had a sharp uptick since January of 2025, with 2025 being the worst year for measles cases since 1992. Only nine months into 2026, the CDC has reported more than 1,000 more cases this year than the entirety of 2025.

The four counties of Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, and Tioga, NY, have all reported measles cases according to both 18 News reporting and the Measles Dashboard, with the most recent reported case being released by the Chemung County Health Department on Monday, Sept. 14. This release, however, came 11 days after the patient in Chemung County reportedly began showing symptoms on Thursday, Sept. 3, according to said release.

 RELATED STORY: Chemung County confirms measles case in unvaxxed resident 

New York State says that the DOH is working with county health departments and local partners to closely monitor and investigate all reported cases. According to the Measles Dashboard, the latest displayed data, as of Tuesday, Sept. 15, is from Saturday, Sept. 12, and does not reflect the reported measles case in Chemung County.

The DOH says that measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease that causes a rash and fever, caused by an airborne virus spread by coughing or sneezing. A person with measles can pass it to others as soon as four days before a rash appears and as late as four days after the rash appears. The incubation period for measles is up to 21 days. The New York State Health Department says that people who are exposed to measles should quarantine for 21 days after exposure and those who test positive should isolate until four days after the rash appears.

The department urges all New Yorkers to protect themselves by making sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Vaccines are available from pediatricians and other health care providers, per the DOH measles page.

The Twin Tiers stand at particular risk regionally for increased measles cases due to proximity to counties in central and southern Pennsylvania, which have seen rapid increases in measles cases, according to the PA Measles Dashboard. The worst affected is Lancaster County, with nearly 300 measles cases. Counties in Central PA such as Mifflin County and Snyder County are also showing rising case numbers, with 79 in Mifflin and 28 in Snyder. Another higher-risk county is Centre County, home of Penn State University. Mass gatherings, such as football games, can increase risk of disease spreading, according to the CDC Yellow Book.

More information on measles vaccination can be found here. 18 News will continue to report on measles cases in and around the Twin Tiers as information is released.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM – MyTwinTiers.com.