First case of measles reported in San Juan County

State health officials announced on Tuesday that the measles outbreak has reached San Juan County, the seventh county in New Mexico to tally a confirmed case among its residents.

The New Mexico Department of Health said in a news release that a child under the age of 4, who had received one dose of the vaccine, was diagnosed with measles in the county in the Four Corners. The child had contracted the virus on a domestic flight.

The department also reported another measles case in Lea County — an adult with an unknown vaccination history. Statewide, this brings the total number of children under the age of 4 with the disease to 24 and the total number of adults to 37.

“Travel can increase the risk of exposure,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for the state Department of Health. “Whether you’re traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go, make sure you’re up-to-date on your vaccines.”

DOH warned that there may have been an exposure risk for anyone who was at the San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room May 26 through 28, the center’s Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic on Friday or the Nor-Lea Hobbs Medical Clinic on May 27.

Since the measles outbreak, there has been a spike in vaccinations for the disease. Since Feb. 1, 32,296 doses of the MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccination have been administered statewide, doubling the total number of vaccinations administered the previous year.

Measles symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose and red eyes before progressing to a fever and rash.

The San Juan County Public Health Office at 355 South Miller Avenue in Farmington provides a no-cost MMR vaccine, with no appointment necessary, weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

The Lea County Public Health Office in Hobbs, 1923 North Dal Paso Street, is providing MMR vaccinations during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.