USA: New York has reported more than 100 cases of measles since the beginning of the year - and is declaring a state of emergency

Berlin. Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency due to increasing numbers of measles infections in rural areas of New York State. This will allow the state to respond more quickly to the outbreak and allow health care professionals to take additional measures to get more New York residents vaccinated and tested if necessary, a statement said.

Among other things, this executive order can expand the circle of those who are allowed to administer a vaccination, such as emergency workers and pharmacists.

“No one should become seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Hochul. “That is why I have taken measures to increase the number of healthcare professionals who can provide vaccinations and testing.”

According to the announcement, as of October 3rd, a total of 108 measles cases had been recorded in New York State since the beginning of the year - seven of them in the metropolis of New York City and 101 in the rest of the area. At the same time, the number of cases is increasing across the USA and globally, as it is said.

In the USA, the number of measles infections had already reached its highest level in decades by July. More than 2,300 cases were recorded in 45 states, more than in all of 2025, according to figures from the CDC and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The neighboring country Canada lost its “measles-free” status with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2025 after an outbreak.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed by US President Donald Trump, has been criticized for some time because of the increasing number of measles infections. He had repeatedly expressed doubts about the usefulness of vaccinations.