EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — An unvaccinated child in Doña Ana County has been diagnosed with measles which is the first case in the county, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported on Tuesday, April 15.
This case among four other cases that also involve unvaccinated people in Lea County brings the total number of measles cases in New Mexico to 63, the Health Department said.
The Health Department says County residents may have been exposed to measles at the following Las Cruces locations:
- From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 2 at Kid’s Kountry Place Preschool and Childcare, 3704 Elks Drive.
- From 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 3 at Memorial Medical Center (MMC) Family Medicine Center, 2605 Terrace Drive.
- From 1 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on April 6 at the MMC Emergency Department, 2450 S. Telshor Blvd.
- From 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 7 at MMC Family Medicine Center, 2605 Terrace Drive.
- From 7:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on April 8 at both the MMC Emergency Department and Pediatric Unit, 2450 S. Telshor Blvd.
Those who have symptoms and believe they were exposed to measles should call the NMDOH helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance and also call your doctor or emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.
The Department of Health recommends a dose of measles, mumps, and 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 due to the ongoing risk of exposure to measles.
The Department of Health says the two public health offices in Las Cruces offer walk-in MMR vaccinations with no appointment necessary on the following days, times, and locations:
- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays at the Las Cruces Public Health Office, 1170 N. Solano Drive. Call (575) 528-5001 for more information.
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Las Cruces East Mesa Public Health Office, 5220 Holman Road. Call (575) 382-0540 for more information.
“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 Department of Health says the number of adults and children getting the MMR vaccine continues to rise across the state with 18,449 vaccinations between Feb. 1 and April 14, compared to 9,863 in the same time period last year.
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