Technology and Scienceupdated 56m ago2 min read
Kathy Hochul Declares New York State Disaster Emergency Over Measles Outbreak
Hochul declares statewide disaster emergency over measles outbreak. 108 measles cases statewide this year, with 101 outside New York City.
Hochul Declares Disaster
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Monday over a measles outbreak spreading through under-immunised rural communities, with 108 cases reported this year through October 3. Hochul said in a statement, "No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease," as the executive order expanded the pool of health professionals allowed to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines. The order reported that seven of the cases were in New York City and 101 were elsewhere in the state, and it said 92 cases had been reported since July 15 in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties.
“The emergency took effect on Monday and runs through November 4.”
The executive order also said local health departments had administered more than 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas since July 15. The emergency took effect on Monday and runs through November 4, according to the executive order.
Who Can Vaccinate and Test
The executive order expanded who could administer MMR vaccines by directing that the pool of health professionals allowed to vaccinate would include paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists and midwives. The order also allowed nurses to order measles testing, and it required all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours. Hochul said, "After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease," as the state moved to strengthen testing and vaccination capacity.
Ontario County Public Health Director Kate Ott said the declaration would strengthen the county's ability to expand testing, contact tracing and MMR vaccine availability. Ontario County Public Health announced four measles cases confirmed in unvaccinated Ontario County residents, and it said anyone who may have been exposed has been contacted.
Regional Outbreak Pressure
Neighboring Pennsylvania battled a fast-spreading outbreak, with 977 cases and five deaths as of October 2, mostly in rural counties that border New York, according to the order.
Pennsylvania health officials said on Monday the state's total had passed 1,000 cases, making it the largest state outbreak in more than three decades.
The order said the US was having its worst year for measles since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. James McDonald urged New Yorkers to check their vaccination status and protect themselves with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the state expanded emergency response steps.
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera said, "The concerning rise in measles cases is due to a decrease in childhood vaccines driven by misinformation and is causing a public health emergency," as New York continued to respond through the disaster period running to November 4.