New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Monday over a measles outbreak, the first such declaration by a US state since cases began surging in 2025.
The state also expanded the pool of health professionals allowed to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines as cases rise in rural communities.
New York has reported 108 measles cases this year through October 3, including 92 since July 15 in under-immunised rural communities across 18 counties, well above typical annual levels, according to the executive order.
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Neighbouring Pennsylvania is battling a fast-spreading outbreak, with 977 cases and five deaths as of October 2, mostly in rural counties that border New York, the order said.
The order allows registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles and pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two. It also requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunisation registries within 72 hours, while waiving adults’ consent for such reporting.
Vaccination itself still requires the consent of the patient or a legal guardian. The emergency took effect on Monday and runs through November 4.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
