SANTA FE – A federal inmate held in the Luna County Detention Center has tested positive for measles — the sixteenth case in New Mexico this year — the New Mexico Department of Health reports.
People may have been exposed to measles from this most recent case at the following location, day and times: the U.S. District Court building at 100 N. Church Street in Las Cruces between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 27.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and court administrative staff are collaborating to ensure everyone working in the building is educated about measles and protected against future risk of infection.
If you have symptoms and believe you were exposed to measles, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish by nurses. You should contact your doctor or emergency department first to tell them you are worried about measles so they can plan for your visit.
Measles symptoms develop between seven and 21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a red spotted rash that usually starts on the head or face and spreads down the body. People can pass measles to someone else from four days before to four days after the rash first appears.
“The New Mexico Department of Health continues to urge people to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination, the best tool to protect you from contracting measles,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH.
Earlier this year, NMDOH reported 15 measles cases among three county detention centers: ten in the Luna County Detention Center, three in the Doña Ana County Detention Center, and two in the Hidalgo County Detention Center. All the cases involved federal detainees.
Those who are unsure about their vaccination status can access vaccination records at https://vaxview.doh.nm.gov/ or through the NMDOH Helpline at the phone number above. You can also text Helpline staff questions to 66364 (NMDOH).
More information on measles can be on NMHealth.org in English and Spanish.
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