Pennsylvania reports 1,004 measles cases as New York declares statewide emergency

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency over measles on Monday, 5 October 2026. On the same day, Pennsylvania's health department reported 1,004 measles cases this year.

New York has reported 108 cases this year, counted through 3 October according to The Guardian and France 24. Five people in Pennsylvania have died after contracting measles.

New York's order

According to France 24 and Reuters, this is the first statewide measles emergency declared by a US state since cases began surging in 2025. France 24 reported that the emergency took effect on Monday and runs through 4 November.

According to France 24, the executive order says 92 of New York's cases have been reported since 15 July. These cases are in under-immunised rural communities across 18 counties. The Hindu attributes the figure of 92 cases in 18 counties since 15 July to the governor. The order also cites 977 Pennsylvania cases and five deaths as of 2 October, mostly in rural counties bordering New York.

France 24 reported that the order expands who may give MMR vaccines. Registered nurses may order tests for suspected measles. Pharmacists may vaccinate children as young as two. According to France 24 and The Hindu, all MMR vaccinations must be reported to state or New York City registries within 72 hours. France 24 reported that adults' consent for this reporting is waived. Vaccination itself still requires consent from the patient or a legal guardian.

Pennsylvania's outbreak

According to The Guardian, Pennsylvania has recorded 198 measles hospitalisations this year. Lancaster County, which has sizeable Amish and Mennonite populations, is the hardest hit, with 391 cases according to official figures. State health officials say the outbreak began in April, west of Philadelphia. By their calculation, it is the largest state outbreak in more than three decades. They attribute it to low vaccination rates.

The Guardian reported that as of 1 October, the CDC counted 3,887 confirmed US cases this year, the worst year since 1991. The Guardian said Pennsylvania's figures are not included in that count. International health officials will meet in November to determine whether the US and Mexico have lost their measles-free status.

What is disputed

Pennsylvania records five residents who died after contracting measles. According to The Guardian, the CDC, which Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. oversees, lists two measles deaths nationwide this year. The Guardian reported that the gap stems from a dispute between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Kennedy over how to classify measles-related deaths.

What each side says

Kennedy has publicly questioned whether Pennsylvania's recorded deaths were directly caused by measles, according to The Guardian. The same outlet reported that Shapiro has called Kennedy "incompetent". The Guardian quoted Shapiro as saying in August: "I want every Pennsylvanian to know this: measles does not care about your county, your faith, or your social circle."

Beyond Kennedy's questioning of the deaths, the reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a direct statement from Kennedy or the CDC on the exclusion. They do not describe the ages or vaccination status of those who died.

Analysis

The two states are responding in different ways. New York is using emergency powers to widen vaccine access and tighten reporting. Pennsylvania's figures sit outside the federal count. This gap could affect how the national picture is assessed. That matters ahead of the November meeting on the measles-free status of the US and Mexico. One possibility is that state and federal officials agree on how to classify cases and deaths. Another is that separate counts continue. Vaccination data for the affected communities would help clarify the drivers of spread. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not provide that data.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.