NMDOH declares measles outbreak in Lea County

Two adults in Lea County tested positive for measles on Thursday, bringing the county’s total cases to three, following a teen’s confirmed case earlier this week—the first of the year for the state. Those three cases constitute an outbreak under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s outbreak criteria, the New Mexico Department of Health said on Friday.

The county borders Gaines County, Texas, where cases have grown from two to 48 in two weeks, DOH said, and doubled in just a few days, according to national reporting. Officials say a connection between New Mexico’s cases to the Texas outbreak is suspected but unconfirmed.

“We are investigating every suspected case, and we encourage sick individuals with symptoms consistent with measles to seek medical care,” Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Chad Smelser said in a statement.

NMDOH has set up vaccination clinics in the area, and also  isencouraging residents who may have been exposed to monitor for symptoms.

Places and times for potential exposure

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

Symptoms

Symptoms can appear seven to 21 days after exposure:

• fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a red spotted rash that usually starts on the head or face and spreads downward across the body.
• Complications can include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia.

Free vaccination clinics

According to the state health department, approximately one in five unvaccinated people in the U.S. who contract measles is hospitalized.

No appointment are required at the five public health offices over the next two weeks. People with symptoms should call before visiting: Hobbs Office (575) 397-2463 | Lovington Office (575) 396-2893. Staff will provide guidance based on symptom severity.

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso.
• 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.