Health officials declare measles outbreak in Lea County

State health officials declared a measles outbreak in southeast New Mexico on Friday after two adults tested positive for the viral illness — bringing the total to three confirmed cases this week.

The two adults live in Lea County, where an unvaccinated teenager tested positive on Tuesday, the New Mexico Department of Health reported Friday.

None of the three had been hospitalized, the agency said. The vaccination status of the two adults was unknown Friday.

Lea County lies across the state border from Gaines County, Texas, where 48 confirmed measles cases have been reported in recent weeks.

“We are investigating every suspected case, and we encourage sick individuals with symptoms consistent with measles to seek medical care,” Dr. Chad Smelser, New Mexico’s state epidemiologist, said in a written statement.

Health officials urge New Mexicans to get vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective against the highly infectious disease.

Measles symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. One in 5 unvaccinated people who contract measles must be hospitalized, the agency said.

Symptoms can appear seven to 21 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a red spotted rash that usually starts on the head or face and spreads downward across the body.

No appointment is needed at five public health offices over the next two weeks. If you have symptoms, call before visiting the Hobbs office, (575) 397-2463, or the Lovington office, (575) 396-2853.

Free vaccinations will be offered at the following times and locations:

• 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Saturday at the Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso.
• 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday at the Hobbs Public Health Office.
• 9 a.m. — 3:30 (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Lovington Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th Street.
• 9 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26 and 27, at the Hobbs Public Health Office.

Measles can be transmitted without coming into direct physical contact with an infected person. The agency published a list of locations where someone may have been exposed to the virus. They are:

• Stone Elementary School, Hobbs, on Thursday, Feb 6.
• Albertsons grocery store, 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, between 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6; and the same hours on Saturday, Feb. 8.
• Crosswinds Community Church, 1701 N Jefferson St., Hobbs, between 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9.
• Walgreens, 801 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, between 3 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9.
• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10.
• Nor-Lea Hospital extended hours clinic, 1923 N Dal Paso, Hobbs, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb 10.
• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between 1 and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.