People exposed to measles at aquatic center

Sandoval County measles cases increase to six

SANDOVAL COUNTY — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported four additional measl…

Sandoval County joins those most affected by measles with four recent cases

Measles is edging into New Mexico’s largest metro area, with four cases reported in Sandoval County in the past week, health officials said.

Measles cases confirmed in Sandoval County

BERNALILLO — Cases of the measles has been confirmed in Sandoval County, the New Mexico Depa…

RIO RANCHO — The New Mexico Department of Health announced June 13 that travelers diagnosed with measles have potentially exposed the public to the disease in three counties, including Sandoval County. The exposure was at Rio Rancho’s Aquatic Center from 1-4 p.m. June 2.

The New Mexico Department of Health reports the two travelers were an adult of unknown vaccination status and an 18-month-old child with age-appropriate vaccination. The two were traveling separately.

New Mexico’s total measles case count remains at 81. Sandoval County has six reported cases with no reported hospitalizations or deaths.

“These two cases remind us that travel remains an exposure risk when it comes to this contagious virus,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. “The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles.”

People may have also been exposed to measles from these latest cases at the following locations, days and times:

• Walmart Supercenter, 5701 Herrera Drive in Santa Fe, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 5.

• Walmart Supercenter, 2550 Coors Blvd. NW in Albuquerque, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 6.

• El Super, 4201 Central Ave. NW in Albuquerque, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 6.

• University of New Mexico Hospital Adult Urgent Care, 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, 9:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 10.

• Albuquerque International Sunport, 2200 Sunport Blvd. in Albuquerque, 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, in the main terminal, TSA security checkpoint and Gate A6.

“If you were at one of these locations, check your vaccination status and report any measles symptoms in the next 21 days to your health care provider. If you develop symptoms of measles, stay home to prevent further spread and contact your health care provider or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance,” the release states.

According to NMDOH, measles symptoms don’t appear at once and can develop between seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms can begin with a cough, runny nose and red eyes, then progress to fever and developing a rash starting at the neck that works its way down the body. People can pass measles to someone else anywhere between four days before to four days after the rash is gone.

The NMDOH Helpline is also able to connect New Mexico residents with vaccination options available in their area.

Additional information about measles can be found on the NMDOH website at measles.doh.nm.gov.