Measles scare in the US, New York declares state of emergency

New York State has declared a state of emergency as measles cases continue to rise in the United States. As of October 3, 108 cases of measles have been reported in the state. More health workers have been authorized to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to help boost vaccination efforts.

New York Governor Kathy Hocul declared a state of emergency on Monday (October 5). It will remain in effect until November 4. Under the emergency, registered nurses will be able to order tests for suspected measles patients. At the same time, pharmacists will also be able to administer the MMR vaccine to children as young as two years old.

Of the 108 patients identified in the state, seven are residents of New York City. The other 101 are from other areas of the state. Of these, 92 have been identified since July 15. Most of the infected people are residents of 18 rural areas of the state, where vaccination rates are relatively low.

Governor Hokul said, "People should not become seriously ill or lose their lives to a disease that can be prevented through vaccination."

New York's neighbor, Pennsylvania, has also seen a major outbreak of measles. As of Monday, 1,040 cases had been reported there. Of those infected, 198 had been hospitalized and five had died. It is said to be the largest measles outbreak in any U.S. state in more than three decades.

Meanwhile, measles has also spread to Texas, Utah, Ohio and South Carolina. Nearly 3,900 cases of measles have been reported across the United States this year, the worst measles outbreak in the country since 1991.

Health experts say one of the main reasons for the resurgence of measles is that vaccination rates have dropped below 95 percent. Measles was eliminated locally in the United States in 2000. However, in recent years, the disease has reemerged as vaccination rates have dropped.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) officials will meet in November to decide whether the United States and Mexico can maintain their measles-free status.