... The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports two adult Lea County residents tested positive for measles Thursday" as confirmed by the NMDOH Scientific Laboratory Division - totaling to three cases this week.
New Mexico meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's outbreak criteria with three unrelated cases in Lea County. The cases border Texas's Gaines County, where cases have jumped from 2 to 48 cases in two weeks. While a connection to the Texas outbreak is suspected, it remains unconfirmed.
"We are investigating every suspected case, and we encourage sick individuals with symptoms consistent with measles to seek medical care," said Dr. Chad Smelser, NMDOH Deputy State Epidemiologist.
NMDOH is notifying potentially exposed individuals and providing prevention guidance. If you visited these locations during specified times, you may have been exposed:
- - - Stone Elementary School, Hobbs, N.M. on Thursday, Feb 6.
- - - Albertsons grocery store, 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 6.
- - - Albertsons grocery store, 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 8.
- - - Crosswinds Community Church, 1701 N Jefferson St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 9.
- - - Walgreens, 801 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 9.
- - - Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday Feb. 10.
- - - Nor-Lea Hospital extended hours clinic, 1923 N Dal Paso, Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb 10.
- - - Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
If you were at these locations during the listed times, monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, isolate and call your healthcare provider and inform them of possible measles exposure before visiting. ...