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Three counties in NM potentially exposed to measles
Jun. 13—Health officials said Friday that residents in three New Mexico counties have potentially been exposed to measles by way of two travelers who were diagnosed with the disease during their visit to the state.
People in Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Sandoval counties may have been exposed by one adult with an unknown vaccination status, along with an 18-month-old child with an age-appropriate vaccination, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) said in a news release.
The two were traveling separately and have since left New Mexico, said David Morgan, public information officer for the DOH.
When there has been a potential mass exposure, the DOH seeks information to determine which public areas a person with measles has visited.
"In addition to providing locations for potential exposure, we provide the public with what symptoms they need to be aware of and guidelines on what actions to consider taking if they suspect they may have contracted measles," Morgan told the Journal.
Measles symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a fever and rash.
In the latest health alert, the DOH warned that there may have been an exposure risk at the following times and locations:
—Monday, June 2, from 1-4 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center, 745 Loma Colorado NE.
—Thursday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter, 5701 Herrera Drive, in Santa Fe.
—Friday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Walmart Supercenter, 2550 Coors NW, in Albuquerque, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at El Super, 4201 Central NW, in Albuquerque.
—Tuesday, June 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. at the University of New Mexico Hospital Adult Urgent Care, 2211 Lomas NE, in Albuquerque, and from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Albuquerque International Sunport main terminal, TSA security checkpoint, Terminal A, Gate A6.
"These two cases remind us that travel remains an exposure risk when it comes to this contagious virus," said Dr. Miranda Durham, the NMDOH chief medical officer. "The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles."
New Mexico's total measles case count stood at 81 as of Friday.
