San Juan County has its first case of measles, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
The case was announced Tuesday afternoon as a child under the age of four with one dose of vaccine who contracted the virus on a domestic flight.
“Travel can increase the risk of exposure,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. “Whether you’re traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go make sure you’re up to date on your vaccines.”
While the child caught measles outside San Juan County, people may have been exposed to this latest case of measles at the following locations, days and times:
San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 West Maple Street in Farmington on the following days and times:
- Monday, May 26 from 10:30 p.m. – Tuesday, May 27 at 4:15 a.m.
- Wednesday, May 28 from 2 – 4 p.m.
San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 South Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington:
- Friday, May 30 from 8:15 – 10:30 a.m.
NMDOH also reported Tuesday one additional case in Lea County – that of an adult of unknown vaccination status – bringing the total number of measles cases in New Mexico to 81 over seven counties.
Exposures to this case may have occurred at the NorLea Hobbs Medical Clinic, 1923 N Dal Paso St in Hobbs on Tuesday, May 27 from 8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles symptoms, which develop between seven to 21 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a red spotted rash.
Those who were at the listed locations should check their vaccination status and report any measles symptoms to their health care provider within the next 21 days. Individuals who develop measles symptoms are advised to stay home and contact their healthcare provider or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).
The San Juan County Public Health Office, located at 355 South Miller Avenue in Farmington, and the Lea County Public Health Office at 1923 North Del Paso Street in Hobbs, are offering no-cost measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines. Other public health office locations providing MMR vaccinations can be found online at http://measles.doh.nm.gov/.