New York declares disaster emergency as measles cases reach 108

On October 5, Governor Kathy Hochul placed New York under a statewide disaster emergency after its measles outbreak rose to 108 reported infections by October 3. The directive expands who can provide testing and vaccinations statewide after 92 cases emerged from July 15 onward in poorly immunised rural communities across 18 counties.¹²³⁴

Cases concentrated outside New York City

Of New York’s 108 reported cases, seven were in New York City and 101 were elsewhere in the state. The 92 infections recorded since July 15 account for most of the state total and were reported across rural communities with insufficient immunisation coverage in 18 counties.¹²³⁴

Since July 15, local health agencies have given rural residents over 1,000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Hochul said: “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.”¹²³

Emergency order expands health powers

Under the order, registered nurses may request tests for people suspected of having measles, while pharmacists may administer MMR vaccines to children aged two and older. The measures temporarily widen the group of health professionals able to support testing and vaccination.¹²³⁴

The order also requires MMR vaccinations to be reported within 72 hours. It removes the need for adults to consent separately to the reporting of their vaccination, but does not eliminate the requirement for the patient or a legal guardian to consent to the vaccination itself.¹²

France 24 reported that vaccinations must be entered in state or New York City immunisation registries and that the emergency is scheduled to run through November 4. The Straits Times said the order was intended to accelerate the state’s testing and vaccination response.¹⁴

Pennsylvania outbreak drives wider concern

Most cases in the adjacent Pennsylvania outbreak have occurred in rural counties bordering New York. Pennsylvania had recorded 977 cases and five deaths by October 2, while state health officials subsequently said its case count had passed 1,000. The outbreak is the largest reported by a US state in more than three decades.¹²³⁴

With almost 3,900 reported infections, the United States has recorded its largest yearly measles total since 1991. The Straits Times cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showing 3,887 cases as of October 2, the highest total in three decades.¹²

The Straits Times reported that two MMR doses are 97 per cent effective and that vaccination coverage has declined below levels needed to protect vulnerable people in many areas. Al Jazeera reported that coverage below 95 per cent is insufficient to prevent outbreaks and that the Pan American Health Organization plans to assess in November whether the United States and Mexico retain measles-free status.¹³