The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has reported four additional measles cases in Sandoval County, bringing the county total to six and the statewide count to 78.
This outbreak is described by Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer, as “the largest New Mexico has seen in many years.”
The new cases include an infant too young for vaccination and three adults, each of whom had received at least one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.
On May 15, NMDOH confirmed the first measles cases in Sandoval County, involving an adult with unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under the age of four.
The NMDOH said people may have been exposed to measles from these latest cases at the following locations, days and times:
- Longhorn Steakhouse, 6600 Menaul Boulevard NE in Albuquerque on Friday, May 2 from 1 – 5 p.m.
- Walmart, 8000 Academy Road. NE in Albuquerque on Saturday, May 3 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
- Lindo Mexico Grill & Seafood, 5220 Eubank Boulevard NE in Albuquerque on Sunday, May 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- University of New Mexico (UNM) Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department, 2211 Lomas Boulevard NE in Albuquerque on Sunday, May 4 from 9 – 11 p.m.
- UNM Hospital General Pediatric Unit on Wednesday, May 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m.
- Common areas of the UNM Hospital Pavilion between Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 15.
- Walmart, 5701 Herrera Drive in Santa Fe on Saturday, May 17 from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
- Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center Emergency Department, 4801 Beckner Road in Santa Fe Saturday, May 17 from 6 – 9 a.m.
NMDOH is urging individuals who were at these locations to check their vaccination status and monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days. Symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes, fever, and a rash that starts at the head and spreads downward. Those experiencing symptoms are advised to stay home and contact their healthcare provider or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).
At a news conference Thursday, Durham said, “Travel is a risk for measles spread.” She said the current measles outbreak is “the largest New Mexico has seen in many years.”
NMDOH recommends one dose of MMR for adults born after 1957 and two doses for those living in or traveling to areas with active measles cases.
Gina DeBlassie, Secretary of NMDOH, stressed that the MMR vaccination remains the best protection against measles.
“We want to make sure everybody stays safe,” DeBlassie said.
The state measles cases are now spread over six counties: Lea County has had 65 cases, Sandoval has six, Eddy has three, Doña Ana has two and Curry and Chaves counties each have one case.
Measles usually starts with a cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a fever and rash. The rash begins at the head and spreads downward. A person with measles can spread it to others from 4 days before the rash shows up to 4 days after it goes away. You may also contact your doctor or the emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.
More information about measles is available in English and Spanish at /measles.doh.nm.gov/.