2-11-2025 11:36pm

Measles Once Thought Erradicated: First New Mexico Measles case of 2025 confirmed in Lea County

Chris Edwards Editor

The CDC fact sheets explain that Francis Home, a Scottish physician, demonstrated in 1757 that measles is caused by an infectious agent in the blood of patients.

In 1912, measles became a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, requiring U.S. healthcare providers and laboratories to report all diagnosed cases. In the first decade of reporting, an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths were reported each year.

A vaccine became available in 1963. In the decade before, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old. It is estimated 3 to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year. Among reported measles cases each year, an estimated:

400 to 500 people died

48,000 were hospitalized

1,000 suffered encephalitis (swelling of the brain)

In 1978, CDC set a goal to eliminate measles from the United States by 1982. Although this goal was not met, widespread use of measles vaccine drastically reduced the disease rates. By 1981, the number of reported measles cases was 80% less compared with the previous year.

Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. This meant the absence of the continuous spread of disease was greater than 12 months. This was thanks to a highly effective vaccination program in the United States, as well as better measles control in the Americas region.

Step forward to 2025. As of February 6, 2025, a total of 14 measles cases were reported by 5 jurisdictions: Alaska, Georgia, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.

There have been 2 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2025, and 64% of cases (9 of 14) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.

Now in New Mexico the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is alerting Lea County residents of the days, times and locations where they may have been exposed to a person with measles.

The NMDOH Scientific Laboratory has confirmed a measles infection of an unvaccinated Lea County teenager. NMDOH is working with the patient’s family, Nor-Lea Hospital and the local school district to assure all contacts are up to date with their measles vaccinations. Two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective against disease.

Anyone who visited the following locations during these given days and times may have been exposed to measles:

10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, Nor-Lea Hospital Emergency Department at 1600 Main Street, Lovington, N.M.
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Sixth Grade Academy gymnasium at 310 N 5th Street, Lovington, N.M.

Lea County borders Gaines County in Texas, which is investigating an ongoing measles outbreak with at least 15 confirmed cases. However, the New Mexico youth had no recent travel or exposure to known cases from the Texas outbreak.

“It is important to get up to date on vaccinations now, especially if you or your children are not fully immunized for measles,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. “Measles can spread easily, whether you're in Lea County or elsewhere in the state, if you're not current on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.”

NMDOH is hosting a vaccination clinic in Lea County next week with no appointment necessary at the Hobbs Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso at the following days and times:

Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 19 and 20, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)
Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26 and 27, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.)

To check your vaccination status:

Visit the state Vax View website.
Call the NMHealth Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE(1-833-796-8773).

To get the MMR or other vaccines:

Contact your medical provider, pharmacy or local public health office.
Visit nmhealth.org for providers or scheduling assistance.
Call the NMHealth Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE(1-833-796-8773). Vaccines are free for New Mexico children under the Vaccines for Children program.

Measles is extremely contagious.

Symptoms appear 7-21 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 across the body.
Complications can include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia.

New Mexico had two measles cases in 2024 – they were the first measles cases since 2021.

Medical providers should report suspect cases of measles immediately to the Department of Health at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773), which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.