Measles in the US: 3,887 cases and state of emergency in New York

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), updated to 1 October, 3,887 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in the United States since the start of 2026. This is the highest total since 1991, and it already exceeds the 2,289 infections recorded in all of 2025. 95% of infections are linked to outbreaks.

Pennsylvania is among the hardest-hit areas. On Monday, health authorities there reported 1,004 cases, 198 hospitalizations and five deaths. All the people who died were unvaccinated. Lancaster County alone accounts for 391 infections.

In New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Monday, 5 October. She said she had made the decision after reviewing the latest data, with the aim of strengthening measures already under way. In a statement, she said: “Nessuno dovrebbe ammalarsi gravemente o morire per una malattia prevenibile con un vaccino” (No one should become seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease).

As of 3 October, New York State had recorded 108 cases: seven in the city and 101 in the rest of the state. Of these, 92 have emerged since mid-July in rural communities with insufficient vaccination coverage, spread across 18 counties.

More professionals authorized to vaccinate

The order extends the list of professionals who can administer the vaccine to paramedics, advanced emergency medical services providers, pharmacists and midwives. It also allows nurses to request tests. More than a thousand vaccine doses have already been administered in the affected areas.

Hochul said the measures would protect residents and support the workers operating in communities to contain the spread of the disease. The state of emergency will remain in force until 4 November.

Rural communities with insufficient vaccination coverage account for most of the state’s recorded cases. The article does not say what access to vaccination is currently like in those areas, nor how quickly the new professionals will be able to operate there. It remains to be seen whether the measures will reach the most exposed communities in time.