Sandoval County measles cases increase to six

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…

SANDOVAL COUNTY — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reported four additional measles cases in Sandoval County May 23, bringing the total to six cases locally and 78 cases in the state.

A release from NMDOH states the new cases are that of an infant too young for vaccination and three adults, each with at least one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.

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

• Longhorn Steakhouse, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, from 1-5 p.m. Friday, May 2.

• Walmart, 8000 Academy Road NE, Albuquerque, from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

• Lindo Mexico Grill & Seafood, 5220 Eubank Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

• University of New Mexico Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department, 2211 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, from 9-11 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

• UNM Hospital General Pediatric Unit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 14.

• Common areas of the UNM Hospital Pavillion between Wednesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 15.

• Walmart, 5701 Herrera Drive, Santa Fe, from 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, May 17.

• Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center Emergency Department, 4801 Beckner Road, Santa Fe Saturday, from 6-9 a.m. May 17.

"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," a statement from NMDOH says.

The DOH recommends people who develop symptoms of measles stay home to prevent further spread and contact a health care provider or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for further guidance.

At a news conference Thursday highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated, particularly as the summer travel season approaches, Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, said, “Travel is a risk for measles spread.” She said the current measles outbreak is “the largest New Mexico has seen in many years.”

Sandoval County was identified as one most affected by measles in that conference.

More information about measles is available in English and Spanish can be found at measles.doh.nm.gov/.