Following Pennsylvania’s emergence of its most severe measles crisis in thirty years, a state disaster emergency was formally proclaimed on Monday by New York Governor Kathy Hochul as measles cases surpassed 100 statewide.
The New York State Department of Health measles dashboard reported cases in the Capital Region, specifically identifying two confirmed infections in Montgomery County.
While Montgomery County remains the only area within the Capital Region with active cases, the statewide surge has pushed the total count past 100, prompting emergency state interventions.
Governor Hochul Declares Emergency as Rural Counties Drive New York Surge
Governor Hochul issued her emergency declaration after state figures climbed to 108 confirmed cases, with 92 of those occurring since July 15 across 18 rural counties.
Otsego County leads the state with 20 infections, followed by Seneca County with 18 and Steuben County with 14. Steuben County also operates a local dashboard tracking 17 total confirmed cases since August 18, all occurring in unvaccinated individuals.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald noted during a media briefing in Utica that the current transmission pattern differs from typical years. Normally, New York records only a handful of travel-associated cases annually. Instead, the virus is circulating locally in communities with low vaccination coverage.
Based on CDC data, the U.S. has recorded nearly 4,000 confirmed infections nationwide this year, with sickness documented across nearly every state. Compared to 2025—which saw 2,289 confirmed cases and three known fatalities—this year has experienced a sharp increase. The U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991. Nationally there have been 3,887 confirmed measles cases this year as of Oct. 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated: 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,
and added, No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.
When visiting Utica on Oct. 7, Dr. James McDonald noted: What's happening with measles in New York and across the United States right now is not normal.
He also remarked, There’s this false notion that measles is not a serious disease,
and observed, They have a lot of questions
regarding communities that are simply unaware rather than vaccine resistant.
Pharmacists and Nurses Gain Emergency Powers to Vaccinate and Test
The emergency order temporarily alters health regulations to accelerate testing and immunization across the state. All MMR vaccinations of children and adults must be reported within 72 hours under the order.
Retail pharmacies have mobilized in response to the declaration. CVS Health announced that MMR vaccinations are available for eligible patients at more than 530 CVS Pharmacy locations and MinuteClinic sites statewide.
Health systems are also conducting outreach; nurses within the Mohawk Valley Health System are engaging directly with communities to answer questions and offer immunizations. Julie Hall, the chief nursing officer for the Mohawk Valley Health System, stated: We almost eradicated it for so long. And now, we are dealing with a crisis that just is unnecessary,
and described community health nurses as definitely beating the drums out in the community, asking patients if they are vaccinated or if they would like to be.
National Transmission Scales Up While Pennsylvania Reaches Historic Case Counts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded nearly 3,900 measles cases across 47 states and Washington, D.C., marking the highest nationwide illness total since 1991. The overwhelming majority of infected individuals nationwide are unvaccinated. Neil Maniar, a professor of public health practice at Northeastern University’s Bouve College of Health Sciences, stated: We are in real danger of losing our status as having eliminated Measles and it underscores a failure of this administration’s public health policies, because it’s totally preventable.
Neighboring Pennsylvania is managing the nation’s largest outbreak in over three decades, having surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases across 39 counties alongside five measles-associated deaths. Federal health officials have confirmed two fatalities linked to the virus nationally, while state authorities maintain higher local counts.
Health agencies continue to emphasize prevention. The recommended two-dose MMR vaccine series provides protection against the highly contagious virus, which spreads easily through airborne droplets and can linger in indoor spaces for hours.
As health agencies coordinate responses from the federal level down to local clinics, residents with questions regarding individual exposure status or immunization history are advised to reach out to a personal physician or pediatrician for tailored guidance.
Lewis County Public Health Director Ashley Waite noted: The risk to the general public is still low. Particularly, if you're fully vaccinated or born before 1957, because you would be considered immune to the illness.