2025 Measles Outbreak Guidance

Key points

Measles is very contagious and can be serious.
Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
Call the Department of Health Helpline at 1-833-796-8773:
- Ask questions about measles, vaccines or other medical questions.
- Guidance on measles exposures.
- Vaccination records.
- Reporting cases.

Overview

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that spreads over the body. Serious complications can occur, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized against measles. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.

Reports

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is reporting an outbreak of measles originating in Lea County, near Gaines County, Texas. The table below provides the latest case numbers. Because measles is so contagious, additional cases are likely to occur in Lea County and the surrounding communities.

We will post updates on Tuesdays and Fridays by noon Mountain Standard Time if there are new cases to report.

Total Cases	Vaccinated with at least one dose	Not Vaccinated	Unknown
42*	4	30	8

New Mexico Case Count by County (as of 03/21/2025):

County	Cases	Hospitalizations	Deaths
Lea County	40	2	1
Eddy	2	0	0

Age Ranges of Measles Cases:

0-4 Years	5-17 Years	18+ Years	Pending	Total
8	10	23	1	42

*Measles is primarily a disease of people who are not immunized and most residents in the outbreak area are protected from measles disease even if they are exposed to the virus. We expect to continue to identify new measles infections associated with this regional outbreak in New Mexico and Texas. This is not the explosive situation that we see with a pandemic where the population is unprotected. The measles cases that we have confirmed include persons with positive laboratory tests and persons who developed measles symptoms at the appropriate time following contact with a confirmed case. These cases were identified in the course of careful (epidemiologic) investigations. The newly added cases include people who were ill previously and were not identified until after their illness. The timing of rash onset for the current 42 cases shows them to be spread out over time and are not increasing dramatically:

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): 2

Response

The following public health offices will offer daily walk-in MMR vaccinations with no appointments needed until further notice:

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

In addition: the following vaccination clinics are scheduled statewide:

Wednesday, March 26 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. at the Santa Fe Public Health Office, 605 Letrado Street. 505-476-2600
Friday, April 4, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Drive-thru MMR vaccinations will be available at the Carlsbad (Eddy County) Public Health Office, 1306 West Stevens. (575) 885-4191
Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Gallup (McKinley County) Public Health Office, 1919 College Dr. (575) 722-4391
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
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Public Health Office, 18 Gallegos Road. (505) 425-9368 on the following days and dates:
- Tuesday, Mar. 25
- Wednesday, Apr. 2
- Wednesday, Apr. 9
- Wednesday, Apr. 16
- Wednesday, Apr. 23
- Wednesday, Apr. 30

The NMDOH Helpline can help you find local pharmacies with vaccine in stock, coordinate with public health offices to get you vaccinated and answer medical questions. Please call 1-833-796-8773.