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Wastewater testing found measles has reached Deming
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A sample taken from wastewater in Deming has tested positive for measles, a possible indicator that the virus is active in the area, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Taken on June 10, the sample was part of a wastewater testing initiative being carried out by NMDOH at 11 treatment facilities in the state since mid-March.
At the end of March, there were 10 cases of measles across the state. There are now 81 cases reported in New Mexico, the vast majority among unvaccinated New Mexicans, the department said.
“This detection tells us there was at least one person infectious with measles in Deming on June 10 that has gone undiagnosed,” said Dr. Daniel Sosin, medical epidemiologist with the state Department of Health. “We expect that there may be more cases in Luna County in the coming days.”
While NMDOH advises that testing does not confirm the number, timing or location of people infected with measles — nor does it represent an official measles case — it can serve as an “early warning system that the measles virus is likely active in the area.”
Health officials conduct weekly wastewater measles testing in Bernalillo County, Carlsbad, Chaparral, Deming, Las Cruces, Portales, Rincon, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe and the South Central Wastewater Treatment Plant in Doña Ana County.
Measles is an extremely contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. NMDOH recommends two doses of the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine to protect against measles. About 36,000 New Mexicans have received MMR shots since Feb. 1.
