Hochul declares disaster emergency over New York measles surge

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has declared a statewide disaster emergency in New York over the latest numbers linked to the measles outbreak.The move marks the first time a state has made such a declaration since measles cases began surging in 2025.“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Hochul said in a statement on Monday. “That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.” New York has had at least 108 confirmed measles cases so far this year, with about half arising in three rural counties. Seven of those cases were located in New York City.The emergency declaration comes amid a national resurgence of the highly contagious virus, which is easily spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. The disease is entirely preventable through vaccination.The governor received her seasonal flu shot and urged all New Yorkers to do the same.PENNSYLVANIA REPORTS FIFTH MEASLES DEATH AS US OUTBREAK ESCALATESOther states experiencing a notable rise in measles cases include Utah, Ohio, Arizona, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. There have been over 1,000 cases in Pennsylvania, five of which resulted in death.There are no measles-related deaths in the Empire State so far, according to the New York State Department of Health.