NYS warns of increasing measles cases upstate

Rural parts of upstate New York are seeing an increase in measles cases, the state Health Department announced Monday.

There have been 29 cases in the state so far this year, six in New York City and 23 in the rest of the state. Officials said the rise in cases is in the Capital, Central and Western areas of the state.

Long Island has two cases so far this year — an unvaccinated 5 year old and a New York City resident who dined at a restaurant in Roslyn Heights.

In all of 2025, there were 20 confirmed cases in the city and 28 across the rest of the state, including one in Suffolk County.

"It is important we work together to contain this recent uptick in cases of confirmed measles," state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. "Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious illness, including pneumonia and hospitalizations yet is effectively prevented with up-to-date measles immunization."

The agency said the cases include both people who acquired it from others in the community as well as those who recently traveled.

State Health Department personnel are working with county personnel on tracing the cases and will administer the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to unvaccinated people — if they want it.

Measles is highly contagious and can be contracted by breathing in the virus or touching a contaminated surface. Symptoms include high fever, cough and red, watery eyes followed by a rash of flat, red spots, the agency said. It can also lead to hospitalization for serious conditions such as pneumonia and swelling of the brain.

Although measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, a surge in cases — fueled at least partially due to a rise in vaccine hesitancy — has put that status in doubt.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first between the ages of 12 and 15 months and the second between 4 and 6.

State data shows 80% of children in the state have received 1 dose of the MMR vaccine by the time they are 2 years old. On Long Island, 82.3% of 2 year olds in Nassau County have received one dose and 82.2% in Suffolk. But in other parts of the state, the rates are lower such as 67.5% in Sullivan, 65% in Orange and 52.9% in Yates.

The state requires the MMR vaccine before a child can attend school or daycare.

By Lisa L. Colangelo

lisa.colangelo@newsday.com@lisalcolangelo

Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.