Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on Monday due to a rise in measles cases. So far this year, there have been 108 confirmed cases of measles across the state. Seven of those cases are in the New York City aera, but most of the cases are in Seneca, Steuben and Oswego counties. Last year, the state recorded 48 cases statewide. According to state officials, the people getting sick are largely unvaccinated. Hochul’s executive order expands the pool of eligible people who can administer the vaccine against measles, including paramedics, pharmacists and midwives. “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test,” Hochul said in Monday’s announcement. The state health department has put out a measles dashboard to track the growing number of cases, which shows a sizeable increase in August and September. The highest peak was recorded in mid-September with 20 confirmed cases in one week. Even though New York is the first state in the nation to declare a measles emergency, next door, in Pennsylvania, an larger outbreak has reached 1,000 cases, 200 hospitalizations and five deaths. Measles is high contagious and is marked by a high fever, rash, and cold-like symptoms. Doctors say its good to know your vaccination status, but if you don’t a simple blood test can tell you as well. ...read more read less