Governor Hochul issues Executive Order declaring State Disaster Emergency over Measles

ALBANY, NY- A growing cluster of Measles cases throughout New York has prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to issue an executive order in declaring a State Disaster Emergency.

The Executive Order enables the State to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allows healthcare professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated and tested, if needed.

"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," the Governor said in a released statement.

In Lewis County, there are now 11 confirmed Measles infections, with all of them concentrated in the town of Lowville, according to the Public Health Office.

The Executive Order specifically extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer measles vaccines, including paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists and midwives, and in addition to physicians, also allows nurses to order testing.

According to the World Health Organization, Measles is a highly contagious illness that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.

Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body.

Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at highest risk of severe measles complications.

CDC image.