NEW YORK (WENY) -- As measles numbers continue to climb, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday, March 19th that New York is launching a new measles web portal with information on outbreaks and vaccinations. As it stands, there has been three confirmed cases of the measles in New York City, and one confirmed case in Long Island. 

"I know vaccinations have, for some reason, become a very divisive topic in recent years. It pains me to think that in the year 2025, that we're still debating whether vaccinations are safe. When in fact, the scientific evidence is overwhelming," said Hochul. 

For herd immunity, experts say measles vaccination rates need to be roughly 95 percent. Hochul said that the state vaccination rate is about 81 percent, but that Yates County is one of the lowest in the state. 

"Yates County, only 55.8% are vaccinated. Now the majority overall, 81% for the state of New York, that's a good number. It should be a higher number because otherwise, again, we are exposed. Um, west Texas may seem like a long way off," said Hochul. 

Nationwide, there have been more confirmed cases already in 2025 compared to all of last year. 

"And also of great concern to us, as a border state to Canada, there are 350 cases reported since last fall in Ontario. Literally right across the border from our state," said Hochul.