Measles case diagnosed in Doña Ana County

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health reports an unvaccinated child in Doña Ana County has been diagnosed with measles – the first measles case in that county.

The Doña Ana County case plus four additional cases among unvaccinated people in Lea County brings the total number of measles cases in New Mexico to 63.

Due to the ongoing risk of exposure to measles, New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) recommends a dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months who live in Doña Ana County, or who will be traveling to Doña Ana and Lea Counties.

“Given how contagious measles is we expected it to find its way from El Paso County in Texas to neighboring Doña Ana County,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. “No matter where you live in New Mexico, make sure you and your family are up to date with your vaccinations.”

The number of adults and children getting the MMR vaccine continues to rise statewide – with 18,449 vaccinations between Feb. 1 and April 14, compared to 9,863 in the same time period last year.

Doña Ana County residents may have been exposed to measles at the following Las Cruces locations:

• April 2, from noon - 6 p.m. at Kid’s Kountry Place Preschool and Childcare, 3704 Elks Drive. 
• April 3, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Memorial Medical Center (MMC) Family Medicine Center, 2605 Terrace Drive. 
• April 6, 1 - 7:15 p.m. at the MMC Emergency Department, 2450 S. Telshor Blvd. 
• April 7, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. at MMC Family Medicine Center, 2605 Terrace Drive. 
• April 8, 7:45 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. at both the MMC Emergency Department and Pediatric Unit, 2450 S. Telshor Blvd.

If you have symptoms and believe you were exposed to measles, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish by nurses. You should contact your doctor or emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.

The two public health offices in Las Cruces offer walk-in MMR vaccinations with no appointment necessary at the following days, times and locations:

• Mondays, 1-3 p.m. and Fridays, 9-11 a.m. at the Las Cruces Public Health Office, 1170 N. Solano Drive. Call (575) 528-5001 for more information. 
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. at the Las Cruces East Mesa Public Health Office, 5220 Holman Road. For more information call (575) 382-0540.

Measles cases are now diagnosed in four counties: Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy and Lea.

For more information about measles in English and Spanish, visit our website http://measles.doh.nm.gov/. 

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Se diagnostica un caso de sarampión en el condado de Doña Ana