New York declares measles emergency amid rise in cases and spread in rural areas

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of disaster emergency due to the spread of measles in New York, especially in rural areas, amid a rise in cases of the disease in the United States.

The measure responds to the epidemiological situation reported by health authorities, who have also noted the presence of cases in the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.

New York Health Commissioner James McDonald explained that the state of emergency grants additional powers to expand vaccination and strengthen the detection of infections.

According to the data provided by the official, the state has recorded 110 cases of measles, a figure that is more than double the number of cases recorded during the entire previous year.

Measles New York: measures

McDonald explained that the executive order will allow more healthcare professionals to administer vaccines and participate in disease detection efforts.

Authorized personnel include paramedics, pharmacists, midwives, and registered nurses, according to information provided by the authorities.

The provision also expands the possibilities for conducting diagnostic tests through standing orders, which will facilitate the participation of nursing staff in identifying potential infections.

The commissioner maintained that these tools will allow for the detection of cases more quickly and strengthen the health response to the spread of the virus.

Measles vaccination recommended

Health authorities urged parents to verify that their children are up to date with recommended vaccines, especially the triple viral vaccine, known as MMR, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

McDonald highlighted that vaccination constitutes the main protective measure against this highly contagious disease.

According to the data cited by the official, the MMR vaccine has an approximate effectiveness of 93% with one dose and 97% with two doses.

He also recalled the importance of children receiving the first dose at the recommended age of 12 months and completing their vaccination schedule according to health guidelines.

Propagation in rural areas

The Health Commissioner indicated that authorities are observing significant local transmission in rural communities in New York State.

McDonald warned about the high contagiousness of measles and reiterated that it is a disease preventable through vaccination.

The situation is also of interest to the Dominican community residing in the northeastern United States.

According to the latest cited demographic study from the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), more than one million Dominicans reside between New York and Pennsylvania.

Measles increase in the U.S.

The official also expressed concern regarding the increase in measles cases recorded in the United States over the last two years.

According to the figures presented, during 2025 there were nearly 2,400 cases recorded throughout the United States, while in 2026 the number is approaching 3,700 infections and continues to rise.

McDonald considered that this trend reflects an unusual epidemiological situation and stressed the importance of maintaining preventive measures.

New York authorities hope that the powers granted through the state of emergency will help expand vaccination coverage, expedite testing, and strengthen measles surveillance.