Latest news with #MirandaDurham
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in New Mexico, NMDOH says
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the New Mexico Department of Health says gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in the state. Story continues below Community:ABQ bus driver speaks out on her experience of safety issues on Central route News:Homeland Security: 11 people arrested at New Mexico dairy were 'undocumented' Trending:Mexican gray wolf Asha gives birth to litter of pups Food: Two Albuquerque restaurants make Yelp's 'Top 50 Cheap Eats' list Between 2019 and 2023, firearms were the second leading cause of death for children aged 1-18, and in 2023 alone, there were 530 firearm-related deaths in the state, including homicide, suicide, and accidents, NMDOH stated in a news release. In addition, the age-adjusted firearm death rate in New Mexico (25.3 per 100,000 residents) is the fifth highest in the United States. 'Gun-related deaths are one of the leading causes of death in children and teens in New Mexico,' Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, stated in the release. 'Securing firearms is a proven strategy to reduce gun violence and to keep our communities and our children safe.' NMDOH encourages residents to wear orange during the weekend of June 6-8 to help raise awareness on the impact of gun violence. The department also reminded residents that they can get free cable gun locks by requesting them online here. The Safe Storage New Mexico program has distributed 11,000 of these locks to New Mexicans since the start of 2025. If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Additional resources are available at the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Mexico health officials: Measles case reported in San Juan County
A child under 4 has been diagnosed with measles in San Juan County, the first case of the virus in the county, the New Mexico Department of Health announced Tuesday. The child, who had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, contracted the virus on a domestic flight. The new case comes about a week and a half after officials said exposures were possible at sites in Santa Fe, although no local cases have been reported. The best way to avoid measles is to get the MMR vaccine, health officials say. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. 'Travel can increase the risk of exposure,' Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said in a statement Tuesday. 'Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go make sure you're up to date on your vaccines.' The diagnosis brings New Mexico's total measles cases to 81 amid a series of outbreaks of the disease nationwide. Though New Mexico's measles cases stem from a larger outbreak in West Texas, more than 1,000 cases had been reported across 32 states, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. San Juan County is the seventh New Mexico county to see a measles case since February and the first in the far northern reaches of the state. The majority of cases remain in Lea County, with six more in Sandoval County, three in Eddy County, two in Doña Ana County and one each in Chaves and Curry counties. The Navajo Nation, which includes much of San Juan County, issued health advisories in February and March warning residents of the dangers of measles. Though the child caught measles outside of San Juan County, the Department of Health warned people might have been exposed to measles recently at the following locations: * San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 W. Maple St. in Farmington, from 10:30 p.m. May 26 to 4:15 a.m. May 27 and from 2 to 4 p.m. May 28. * San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 S. Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. May 30. * NorLea Hobbs Medical Clinic, 1923 N. Dal Paso St in Hobbs, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. May 27. Measles symptoms, which develop seven to 21 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a red, spotted rash that usually starts on the head or face and spreads down the body. The state Department of Health advises people who develop symptoms to stay home to prevent further spread and contact their health care providers or the agency's Helpline at 833-SWNURSE (833-796-8773) for further guidance.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
First case of measles reported in San Juan County
Jun. 3—State health officials announced on Tuesday that the measles outbreak has reached San Juan County, the seventh county in New Mexico to tally a confirmed case among its residents. The New Mexico Department of Health said in a news release that a child under the age of 4, who had received one dose of the vaccine, was diagnosed with measles in the county in the Four Corners. The child had contracted the virus on a domestic flight. The department also reported another measles case in Lea County — in an adult with an unknown vaccination history. Statewide, this brings the total number of children under the age of 4 with the disease to 24 and the total number of adults to 37. "Travel can increase the risk of exposure," said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for the state Department of Health. "Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go, make sure you're up-to-date on your vaccines." DOH warned that there may have been an exposure risk for anyone who was at the San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room May 26 through 28, the center's Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic on Friday or the Nor-Lea Hobbs Medical Clinic on May 27. Since the measles outbreak, there has been a spike in vaccinations for the disease. Since Feb. 1, 32,296 doses of the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccination have been administered statewide, doubling the total number of vaccinations administered the previous year. Measles symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a fever and rash. The San Juan County Public Health Office at 355 South Miller Avenue in Farmington provides a no-cost MMR vaccine, with no appointment necessary, weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The Lea County Public Health Office in Hobbs, 1923 North Dal Paso Street, is providing MMR vaccinations during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New Mexico health officials report measles exposures in San Juan, Lea county hospitals
(Conceptual image/Getty Photos) The New Mexico Department of Health on Tuesday reported multiple measles exposures at hospitals in opposite corners of the state last week, including the first case recorded in San Juan County. The state's largest outbreak in more than 50 years now includes 81 cases, with more than 80% in Lea County, just across the state line from Gaines County, Texas, where the outbreak began. Since mid-February, health officials have recorded measles infections in seven counties: Lea, Eddy, Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Sandoval and now, San Juan. NM measles cases rise to 78, with possible exposures at Santa Fe and Albuquerque Walmarts The San Juan County case was a child under 4 years old, who had one dose of the measles vaccine, and contracted the infection on a domestic flight. 'Travel can increase the risk of exposure,' said NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham in a written statement. 'Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go make sure you're up to date on your vaccines.' The Farmington exposures occurred at the on the following days and times: 10:30 p.m.-4:15 a.m. Monday, May 26 and Tuesday May 27: emergency room of the San Juan Regional Medical Center at 801 West Maple Street. 2- 4 p.m.: Wednesday, May 28: emergency room of the San Juan Regional Medical Center at 801 West Maple Street. 8:15-10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 30: San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 South Schwartz, Suite 102 In the state's Southeast corner, an adult with an unknown vaccination status potentially exposed others in an Hobbs at the following location: 8:45 – 11:30 a.m on Tuesday, May 27: NorLea Hobbs Medical Clinic,1923 North Dal Paso Street. Measles symptoms are generally milder in people with a vaccine, according to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and vaccination decrease the risk of spreading it to other people. Measles symptoms develop between one to three weeks after exposure. Symptoms usually start with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by the spotty red rash on the head that spreads across the body. People can pass measles to someone several days before and after the rash appears. NMDOH urges anyone with measles symptoms to stay home to prevent further spread and call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-796-8773 for further information in English or Spanish about symptoms, testing or vaccines. Health officials said the best prevention is two doses of the vaccines, which are offered at no cost at 19 public health clinic offices around the state. Clinic locations can be found on the state's measles webpage. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. Possible measles exposure reported at Shakira concert in New Jersey 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.
