Another federal inmate tests positive for measles

Another federal inmate in Doña Ana County has tested positive for measles, the New Mexico Department of Health said Wednesday.

The new case brings the total number of infections to six in 2026, all involving federal inmates held at various detention centers in southern New Mexico.

“All six cases are federal detainees with two cases each at the Doña Ana, Hidalgo and Luna County detention centers,” NMDOH wrote in a news release.

NMDOH is coordinating with all the detention facilities to maintain quarantine, testing and vaccination protocols to minimize the risk of the infection spreading. The health department reported 100 measles cases during an outbreak between February and September 2025.

People who visited the U.S. District Court building in Las Cruces between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 may have been exposed to measles from the most recent case, which stemmed from the Doña Ana County Detention Center. NMDOH did not identify any public locations where exposures may have occurred in the other measles infection cases.

NMDOH is urging anyone who visited the courthouse to check their vaccination status and report any measles symptoms from now until March 17 to a health care provider.

The viral illness is highly contagious and spreads through the air. Common symptoms include a runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes and a distinctive rash. Measles symptoms can develop between one and three weeks after exposure.

“The New Mexico Department of Health continues to urge people to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, vaccine is the best tool to protect you from measles,” said Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH.  

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.