Measles spreads to third New Mexico county
The New Mexico health department on Tuesday reported an unvaccinated child in Chavez County has measles, adding a third county to the ongoing outbreak in the state's southeastern section.
So far this year, the state has had 56 cases, all but three in Lea County, with two in Eddy County. The new case in Chavez is one of two new cases since the state's Friday report.
'A new case in a new county – and cases in now 22 U.S. states – is a reminder that measles is a highly contagious virus,' NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said in a statement. 'It also underscores how the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent measles.'
New Mexico's measles cases are believed to have originated in nearby Gaines County, Texas. The Texas Department of Health on Tuesday said its cases have now topped 500 and spread to 10 counties.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, whose response to the outbreak has been criticized by New Mexico's federal delegation, over the weekend met with the families of children in Texas who died from measles, and subsequently posted a social media post in which he endorsed the MMR vaccine as the most effective way to stop the spread. The post from Kennedy, who founded the anti-vaccine nonprofit Children's Health Defense, angered some vaccine skeptics, NPR reported. Kennedy is also visiting Utah, Arizona and New Mexico this week, but HHS has not disclosed his New Mexico itinerary.
New Mexico's vaccination rates both statewide and in the impacted area have increased. According to DOH, between Feb. 1 and April 3, 3,269 southeast New Mexico residents received the MMR vaccine – more than double the the number administered in the region during the same period last year. Statewide, between Feb. 1 and April 3, 16,455 New Mexicans have received the vaccine compared to 8,842 last year. Officials say one dose of the MMR vaccine, which provides lifetime protection, is 93% effective; two doses are 97% effective.
The state has numerous public offices offering daily walk-in vaccinations, including at the Chaves County Public Health Office in Roswell.
A person with measles can infect others from four days before rash onset through four days after the rash appears. Symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose and eye redness that progresses to fever and rash. The rash starts on the head before spreading to the whole body.
People experiencing fever and rash should contact their doctors or emergency departments in advance so they can prepare for a visit by someone who might have measles. Nurses staff the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773), and can provide information in English and Spanish related to measles and vaccination questions.
Find more information from the health department's measles guidance page, including a complete list of walk-in and scheduled vaccination clinics across New Mexico.
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