NMDOH: Measles cases rise to 76 in New Mexico; CDC helping monitor suspected cases
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The number of measles cases in New Mexico rose to 76, the New Mexico Department of Health announced in a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Two of those new cases were reported in Sandoval County, bringing the total number of cases there to four, NMDOH Secretary Gina DeBlassie and NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Miranda Durham said.
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A majority of the cases in New Mexico this year have been confirmed in Lea County; however, in addition to the Sandoval County cases, there have also been infections in Curry, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves counties.
NMDOH also confirmed that an adult who died in Lea County in March died due to pneumonia caused by measles. NMDOH said in March that the individual was unvaccinated did not seek medical care; however, at the time, it was too early to tell if the virus caused death.
Right now NMDOH is conducting contact tracing to gather data about the infections and how they may have spread. The department has also conducted wastewater testing for the virus, and the most recent results came back negative in Roswell, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Deming, Rincon, Chaparral, south central Carlsbad, and Portales.
The state health department is also working with the CDC to build investigations, conduct analyses, publish reports, and determine suspected measles cases.
During the press conference, DeBlassie and Durham both expressed the importance of getting the MMR vaccine and encouraged people who have yet to be vaccinated to do so.
Measles symptoms start with a runny nose, cough, and eye redness, and progress to rash and fever. Anyone with measles can infect others from four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash is gone, according to the NMDOH.
Free health event for Albuquerque's older adults
If you have symptoms and believe you were exposed to measles, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish from nurses. You are also asked to contact your doctor or the emergency department first.
To view the NMDOH measles webpage, which includes information on where to get the vaccine and details about confirmed cases, click here.
Watch the full press conference below:
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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