New Measles Cases Reported In Orange County

NEW YORK — Three more measles cases have been confirmed in New York state, bringing the total to seven this year, the state Department of Health announced Thursday.

All three of the new cases were in children under age 5 who live in Orange County, in the Hudson Valley area. The children had all traveled internationally recently, health officials said.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the department is closely monitoring the cases, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified.

As of May 8, the CDC had confirmed 1,001 measles cases nationwide for 2025, according to its website, with Texas having the highest number. Of the U.S. cases, 96 percent have been in individuals who are either unvaccinated against the virus or whose vaccination status is unknown. The CDC reports three measles-related deaths in the U.S. so far in 2025.

The health department is urging people to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations.

"There is no specific treatment for measles, and it is easily preventable,” McDonald said. “The most important thing people can do to protect themselves is to ensure they have had 2 doses of the measles mumps and rubella vaccine."

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes rash and fever. Serious complications include hospitalization, pneumonia, miscarriage, preterm birth, brain swelling and even death, according to the health department.

People can catch measles by breathing in the virus or by touching a contaminated surface, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, officials said.

For more information, visit the health department’s measles website.