Texas visitor with measles traveled through Los Lunas-area, raising concerns of spread

A Texas visitor infected with measles recently made the rounds in the Los Lunas area — going to a funeral, dining out and staying at a motel — leading to concerns of possible spread.

The New Mexico Department of Health, in a news release, did not say if the exposure led to any additional cases, which stands at 38 infections in Lea and Eddy counties.

DOH spokesman Robert Nott said the infected Texan made several stops on their journey through Guadalupe and Valencia counties, starting March 8 at the TA Travel Center on Route 66 in Santa Rosa.

From there, the traveler checked into a Days Inn on Main Street in Los Lunas, he said. The Texan ate at Sopa’s restaurant in Bosque Farms on March 9 from noon to 3:30 p.m.

On March 10, the infected visitor went to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta, where a woman’s funeral was being held, between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Nott said that if anyone is unvaccinated against measles, or unsure if they are vaccinated, and were at any of the locales during those times, they should check their vaccination status and monitor themselves for symptoms: cough, runny nose and red eyes, which escalates to fever and rash.

“Recent measles cases in Texas and New Mexico are a reminder to stay vigilant,” Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, said in the release. “When someone with measles travels, the virus can spread to unprotected communities — particularly during high-travel periods like spring break. Vaccination is our strongest defense: one dose of vaccine is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective.”

Measles is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

If you develop symptoms, isolate and contact your doctor to arrange measles testing or use the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

“The measles outbreak in New Mexico, currently at 38 cases, remains confined to Lea and Eddy counties,” Nott said. “Residents of these areas should prepare for continued exposure to measles as long as the virus circulates within their communities.”

The highly contagious virus has exploded across the border, where nearly 300 cases have been recorded. Two unvaccinated people, one in Texas and one in New Mexico, died of measles-related causes.