NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirms the first measles cases in Sandoval County: an adult of unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under the age of four.
People may have been exposed to measles at the following locations, days and times:
- Presbyterian Rust Hospital Emergency Department, 2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho.
- noon – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 30
- 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sunday, May 11
- Presbyterian Rust Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Clinic, 2400 Unser Boulevard SE in Rio Rancho.
- 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1
- Trader Joe’s grocery store, 8928 Holly Ave. NE in Albuquerque.
- 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 6
- Ribs Hickory Pit BBQ, 12220 NM-14 in Cedar Crest.
- noon – 3 p.m., Saturday, May 10
“If you have been exposed to measles and are vaccinated, your risk of getting sick is low,” Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer said. “Watch for symptoms but know that the vaccine is very good at preventing measles.”
Measles symptoms start with a cough, runny nose, and eye redness, and then progress to fever and rash that starts working its way from the head down. People with measles can infect others from four days before the rash appears and still be contagious four days after the rash is gone.
If you have symptoms and believe you were possibly exposed to measles, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1.833.796.8773) for guidance in English and Spanish. You may also contact your doctor or emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.
The Helpline can also help assure residents’ vaccination records are up to date and can assist with vaccine scheduling for both adults and children.
In addition to Sandoval County, measles cases have been diagnosed in Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Eddy and Lea counties. With these latest cases, the statewide total rises to 73 of the more than 1,000 nationwide.
The Sandoval County Public Health Office, 1500 Idalia Road NE in Bernalillo offers the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination with no appointment necessary from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m., Mondays – Thursdays. For more information call 505.867.2291, extension 1707.
More information about measles is available in English and Spanish at http://measles.doh.nm.gov/.