Lewis County’s measles total has risen to 15 confirmed cases, according to the county Public Health Department’s case chart, updated Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 10:00 a.m. That is two more than the county’s previous count — and all 15 cases are in unvaccinated residents.
The county stopped issuing an announcement for each new case on Oct. 7 and now maintains the running count on its website chart. The outbreak traces to a first case confirmed Sept. 26; health officials have said the earlier cases were concentrated in the town of Lowville and include children and adults, some of them related to each other.
Statewide, the New York State Health Department’s measles dashboard — with data as of Oct. 10 — lists 126 cases in 2026 outside New York City. The dashboard is updated weekly and its figures are provisional. Gov. Hochul’s disaster emergency declaration (Executive Order 65) remains in effect through Nov. 4.
Vaccination remains the protection: two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective. If you develop measles symptoms — fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash — call your health care provider or the emergency department before going in, so staff can keep you from exposing others. Residents unsure of their vaccination status can contact Lewis County Public Health or their own provider.
Full background: Measles Emergency: What Lewis County Should Know explains what the emergency order changes and where to get vaccinated.