Measles spreads to sixth New Mexico county
(Rimma Bondarenko/ Getty Images)
The New Mexico health department on Thursday reported the first cases of measles in Sandoval County, the sixth county where the highly contagious disease has been detected. The two new cases included an adult of unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under the age of four.
Presbyterian Rust Hospital Emergency Department (2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho):
Wednesday, April 30 from noon – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11 from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Presbyterian Rust Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Clinic, 2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho:
Thursday, May 1 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Trader Joe's grocery store (8928 Holly Ave. NE in Albuquerque):
Tuesday, May 6 from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ribs Hickory Pit BBQ (12220 NM-14 in Cedar Crest)
Saturday, May 10 from noon – 3 p.m.
DOH also reported several locations, days and times during which residents may have been exposed to measles.
'If you have been exposed to measles and are vaccinated, your risk of getting sick is low,' NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said in a statement. 'Watch for symptoms but know that the vaccine is very good at preventing measles.'
Measles symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose and eye redness, before progressing to fever and rash that starts at the head before moving down the body. Health officials advise that people who have measles can infect others from four days before the rash appears and remain contagious four days after the rash is gone.
With the new cases in Sandoval County, New Mexico now amassed 73 cases, with others in: Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Eddy and Lea counties. Currently, more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The health department encourage people with symptoms who have been exposed to measles to call NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish. If planning to see a doctor or visit an emergency room, call first so health care providers can plan for a visit by someone who may have measles.
Lastly, the Sandoval County Public Health Office (1500 Idalia Road NE in Bernalillo) offers the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination with no appointment necessary from 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays – Thursdays. For more information call (505) 867-2291, extension 1707.
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