New York has a problem nobody expected to see making a comeback in 2026: measles.
On October 5, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency as measles cases climbed across New York, particularly in under-immunized rural communities. As of October 3, the state had recorded 108 confirmed cases, including seven in New York City.
That doesn’t mean New York City is experiencing a massive outbreak on the scale seen elsewhere. In fact, the majority of the state’s cases are outside the city. But measles is extraordinarily contagious, and health officials are urging New Yorkers to take the situation seriously.
Why Is Measles Suddenly Back?
Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, but the virus can return when infected travelers bring it into communities where vaccination rates aren’t high enough to prevent transmission.
New York’s current surge comes amid a nationwide measles explosion. The CDC reported 3,887 confirmed U.S. cases as of October 1, making 2026 the country’s worst measles year since 1991.
What Are the Symptoms?
Measles typically begins with high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash usually appears several days later, starting around the face and spreading downward across the body.
The good news? Prevention is straightforward.
The MMR vaccine remains the best protection against measles. Two doses are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles after exposure, according to New York health officials.
If you’re unsure whether you’re vaccinated, check your records or speak with your healthcare provider.
And if you develop symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed, call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office or emergency room so healthcare workers can take precautions.
Because the only thing New York should be reviving this year is a restaurant—not a disease we thought we’d left in the past.
