Health officials declare measles outbreak in southeastern New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. — State health officials say there’s officially a measles outbreak in eastern New Mexico with more cases likely to be confirmed.
“[There is] an all-out contact tracing effort,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, the chief medical officer with the New Mexico Department of Health.
The Department of Health confirmed Tuesday there are eight cases in Lea County, but there have been no deaths or hospitalizations. They say of the eight, six were unvaccinated. The other two, both adults, believe they have been vaccinated as children.
In neighboring Texas, cases have grown to 48 with 13 hospitalizations. Still, Durham and other state health officials haven’t confirmed a link.
“No known connection between the two outbreaks, except for the geographic proximity,” she said.
Durham said New Mexico is better prepared for an outbreak as overall vaccination rates are higher than in Texas. That is good news for keeping an outbreak from spreading to highly-populated areas.
Doctors say the measles vaccine is 97% effective and offers lifelong immunity. Nearly 400 New Mexicans have been vaccinated for measles since the outbreak began.
The New Mexico Department of Health has several vaccination clinics set up in Lea County at no cost:
- 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso.
- 9 a.m. – 3:30 (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Lovington Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th Street.
- 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26 and 27 at the Hobbs Public Health Office.
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