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First measles cases reported in Sandoval County, shoppers at Albuquerque grocery might have been exposed
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The first measles cases have been reported in Sandoval County, and state officials are warning that the infected residents traveled through Albuquerque and Cedar Crest.
The New Mexico Department of Health, in a news release Thursday, said the residents visited a Rio Rancho hospital, an Albuquerque Trader Joe’s grocery store and a barbecue spot in the East Mountains.
An adult “of unknown vaccination status” and an unvaccinated child younger than 4 have tested positive for the disease, according to the release.
The cases, and possible exposure areas, mark the farthest north measles has moved in the state after 71 cases were reported across Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Eddy and Lea counties.
Officials said the Sandoval County residents visited four locations while possibly infected: the Presbyterian Rust Medical Center Emergency Department on April 30 and May 11; the Presbyterian Rust Oncology Clinic on May 1; the Trader Joe’s store off Paseo del Norte on May 6; and Ribs Hickory Pit BBQ on May 10.
The Department of Health said anyone at those locations on those days may have been exposed to the disease.
“If you have been exposed to measles and are vaccinated, your risk of getting sick is low,” Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, said in the release Thursday. “Watch for symptoms, but know that the vaccine is very good at preventing measles.”
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and begins to show symptoms of measles — a cough, runny nose, eye redness leading to fever and a rash that starts from the head and moves down — should call the DOH helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE.
