NMDOH: Measles found in a third NM county

By Matthew Reichbach

The New Mexico Department of Health announced a confirmed case of measles in Chaves County, the third county with a confirmed case of the highly contagious disease.

The case in Chaves County is an unvaccinated child, the department said.

“A new case in a new county – and cases in now 22 U.S. states – is a reminder that measles is a highly contagious virus,” NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said. “It also underscores how the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles.” 

In all, NMDOH reported 56 cases of measles this year in New Mexico, all in southeastern New Mexico counties. Nearly all, 53, have been in Lea County.

Of the cases, only six are confirmed to be vaccinated with only one dose and 39 are confirmed to not be vaccinated. Another 11 have unknown vaccination statuses.

The department said that vaccinations have increased in the areas in recent months compared to the same time period last year.

“Between Feb. 1 and April 3 of this year, 3,269 southeast New Mexico residents received the MMR vaccine – more than double the 1,508 MMR vaccinations administered in the region during the same period last year,” NMDOH said. “Statewide, between Feb. 1 and April 3, 16,455 New Mexicans have received the vaccine compared to 8,842 last year.”

New Mexico’s outbreak continues to be smaller than the large outbreak in neighboring Texas. As of Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 505 cases of measles since late January, mostly among minors. Two school-age children in Texas have died of measles.

One person with measles died in New Mexico earlier this year, the first death with measles in over 40 years in the state.

NMDOH only adds confirmed cases after a positive laboratory test or under epidemiologic investigations, so they may have been days or weeks in advance of when confirmed.

• Week 1 (2/9-2/15): 14
• Week 2 (2/16-2/22): 6
• Week 3 (2/23-3/1): 8
• Week 4 (3/2-3/8): 6
• Week 5 (3/9-15): 6
• Week 6 (3/16-22): 3
• Week 7 (3/23-29): 6
• Week 8 (3/30-4/5): 7

The state is providing MMR vaccinations without an appointment at the following ten public health offices:

• Artesia (Eddy County) Public Health Office, 1001 Memorial Dr. (575) 746-9819
• Carlsbad (Eddy County) Public Health Office, 1306 W. Stevens St. (575) 885-4191
• Clovis (Curry County) Public Health Office, 1216 Cameo St. (575) 763-5583
• Ft. Sumner (De Baca County) Public Health Office, 643 A North 5th St. (575) 355-2362
• Hobbs (Lea County) Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso St. (575) 397-2463
• Lovington (Lea County) Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th St. (575) 396-2853
• Portales (Roosevelt County) Public Health Office, 1513 W. Fir St. (575) 356-4453
• Roswell (Chaves County) Public Health Office, 200 East Chisum Street. (575)-624-6050
• Ruidoso (Lincoln County) Public Health Office, 117 Kansas City Rd. (575) 258-3252
• Tucumcari (Quay County) Public Health Office, 310 S. 2nd St. (575) 461-2610

The department is also holding vaccination clinics throughout the state. 

• Wednesdays in April, the Las Vegas Public Health Office, 18 Gallegos Road will be accepting walk-in MMR vaccinations with no appointment necessary. (505) 425-9368.
• Every Monday, 1-3 p.m. and every Friday 9-11 a.m. at the Las Cruces Public Health Office, 1170 N. Solano Dr., In addition to MMR vaccines, COVID-19 and flu vaccines are also available. 575-528-5001
• Every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. at the Las Cruces East Mesa Public Health Office, 5220 Holman Road. In addition to MMR vaccines, COVID-19 and flu vaccines are also available. 575-382-0540
• Weekdays 8 a.m. – noon and 1 – 5 p.m. MMR vaccinations are available at the Deming (Luna County) Public Health Office, 1510 S. Slate St. Please call ahead to confirm nurse availability: 575-546-2771
• 8 a.m. – noon every Tuesday at the Albuquerque Midtown Public Health Office, 2400 Wellesley Dr. NE. (505) 841-4170
• 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Raton Public Health Office, 226 East 4th Avenue. (575) 445-3601
• 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. every Thursday at the Española Public Health Office, 2010 Industrial Park Rd. (505) 753-2794
• 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. every Friday at the Taos Public Health Office, 1400 Weimer Road. (575) 758-4719