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Outside of New Mexico, there have been over 700 measles cases reported nationally, including in El Paso and West Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.
Source: N.M. Department of Health
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health is notifying the public about a potential measles exposure from an unvaccinated child with measles at multiple locations in Hobbs, including a daycare center and popular restaurant, between April 4-8.
Exposure locations and times:
- Friday, April 4 and Tuesday, April 8, from 10:30 a.m. – 6:45 p.m. at the Kidz City Daycare at the Chooselife Church, 700 N. Dal Paso Street.
- Saturday, April 5, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Denny’s restaurant, 5114 N. Lovington Highway.
“Measles is extremely contagious; approximately 90% of unvaccinated people who come into contact with a person infected with measles will develop the disease,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Medical Epidemiologist. “We encourage everyone to be up to date with the measles vaccine, especially anyone who is unvaccinated.”
Outside of New Mexico, there have been over 700 measles cases reported nationally, including in El Paso and West Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. Due to the ongoing risk of exposure to measles, NMDOH recommends an early dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months who live in Lea County, or who will be traveling to Lea County or another outbreak area.
Measles symptoms start with a cough, runny nose, and eye redness, and then progress to fever and rash that starts working its way from the head down. People with measles can infect others four days before the rash appears through four days after.
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If you have symptoms and believe you were possibly exposed to measles, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish by nurses related to measles. You may also contact your doctor or emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.
The Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso Street offers daily walk-in MMR vaccinations with no appointment necessary during regular business hours. For more information call (575) 397-2463.
As of Friday, April 11, there are 58 cases and one death statewide. So far, all in three southeastern counties: Lea, Eddy and Chaves.
For more information about measles, symptoms and vaccination options visit our website http://measles.doh.nm.gov/.
