By Matthew Reichbach

The New Mexico Department of Health has officially announced a measles outbreak in a southeastern county of the state.

This proclamation came on Friday, just one day after the department confirmed two additional cases of measles in adults residing in Lea County. Earlier this week, a teenager in the same county was also diagnosed with the disease.

According to the department, these three cases are not linked and have met the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of an outbreak.

“We are closely examining every suspected case, and we urge anyone exhibiting symptoms of measles to seek medical attention,” stated Dr. Chad Smelser, Deputy State Epidemiologist at the New Mexico Department of Health.

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially severe illness. The NMDOH reported that approximately 20% of unvaccinated individuals in the U.S. who contract measles end up hospitalized.

The health department is encouraging those who are not vaccinated against measles to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine as soon as possible. Free vaccination clinics will be held in Lea County over the next two weeks at the following times and locations:

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, February 15, at the Hobbs Public Health Office, located at 1923 N. Dal Paso.
• 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday, February 19, at the Hobbs Public Health Office, located at 1923 N. Dal Paso.
• 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.) Thursday, February 20, at the Lovington Public Health Office, located at 302 N. 5th Street.
• 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday and Thursday, February 26 and 27, at the Hobbs Public Health Office.

Individuals uncertain about their vaccination status can check their vaccination records through the state Vax View website or by contacting the NM Health Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

To identify possible exposures, the NMDOH has noted the following locations where individuals with confirmed measles cases may have been:

• Stone Elementary School, Hobbs, NM, on Thursday, February 6.
• Albertsons grocery store at 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, NM, on Thursday, February 6, from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Albertsons grocery store at 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, NM, on Saturday, February 8, from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Crosswinds Community Church, 1701 N. Jefferson St., Hobbs, NM, on Sunday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Walgreens at 801 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, NM, on Sunday, February 9, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department on Monday, February 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Nor-Lea Hospital extended hours clinic, 1923 N. Dal Paso, Hobbs, NM, on Monday, February 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department on Tuesday, February 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, the Texas Department of State Health Services has reported a measles outbreak in the South Plains region, which borders New Mexico and includes Lea County. According to a report from Texas DSHS on Friday, there are 48 confirmed cases in neighboring counties, with 42 of these cases identified in Gaines County, adjacent to Lea County.

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