Growing NM measles cases ‘not a rapidly expanding outbreak,' DOH says
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The New Mexico Health Department reported 30 infections Friday, three times as many as the prior report.
This jump does not signal a 'rapidly expanding outbreak,' NMDOH spokesperson David Morgan told Source via an emailed statement, but reflects steadily rising cases just added to the case count this week.
'The increase in case numbers today is the combined total of test results from the New Mexico Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory Division and the known contacts of confirmed cases that also developed clinical measles,' Morgan said. 'It is important to note that many of these cases were not identified until after their illness.'
That being said, Morgan added, 'We do expect to see more measles cases in the ongoing outbreaks in Lea County and Texas among people who are unvaccinated. The majority of confirmed measles cases involve unvaccinated people. The large majority of Lea County residents are vaccinated and well-protected even if they come into contact with the virus.'
According to the reports, officials identified 14 cases in the first week, six cases in each week between Feb. 16 and March 1 and four cases this week.
Newly reported infections include very young children. Lea County now has three infections in children ages 0 to 4; eight cases in children ages 5 to 17; and 15 adult cases. Four cases remain pending.
Measles is an airborne, highly contagious respiratory disease. People can spread infection days before symptoms show, which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that spreads over the body. Severe complications include pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. Approximately one in five cases requires hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Melissa Mason, a pediatrician and chair of the immunization committee for the New Mexico Pediatric Society, told Source NM last week that two doses of the measles vaccine offers the most effective prevention.
'This is the gold star of vaccines, after a second dose, you get 97% protection,' Mason said.
NMDOH reported Thursday that an unvaccinated adult tested positive for measles and died, but the cause of death is still under investigation. This follows the Feb. 26 death of a Texas child, the first U.S. death from the disease in a decade.
The ongoing outbreak started in Gaines County, Texas, just across the state line from Lea County. Cases in Texas continue to rise, with health officials there reporting just under 200 cases, mostly in unvaccinated children.
As reported nationally, recent comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continued to downplay the role of vaccinations and instead touted nutrition and the role of Vitamin A. Vitamin A can be used in treatment, but it does not prevent measles, according to the CDC.
Children under the age of six months cannot receive the vaccine. The CDC says that adults vaccinated in the 1960s may need an additional dose of the vaccine for the most effective prevention. New Mexicans can use Vax View to look up previous vaccine records,
NMDOH will hold free measles vaccination clinics in Lea County in two locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. onTuesday, March 11.
Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso
Lovington Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th Street
NMDOH can also assist with finding local pharmacies with vaccines in stock or questions about symptoms on the helpline at 1-833-796-8773. The line is staffed with nurses who can provide information in English and Spanish. Further information can be found online.
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