Measles exposure confirmed in Sandoval County
WINDOW ROCK
The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed two cases of measles in Sandoval County, involving an adult with unknown vaccination status and an unvaccinated child under 4.
The department issued a public exposure alert covering several dates and locations where individuals may have come into contact with the virus.
Health officials said the infected individuals visited medical facilities, a grocery store, and a restaurant while potentially being contagious. The locations and dates of exposure include the Presbyterian Rust Medical Center emergency department at 2400 Unser Blvd. SE in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, on Wednesday, April 30, between noon and 5:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, May 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The medical center’s hematology and oncology clinic, located at the same address, was also listed as an exposure site on Thursday, May 1, between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Additional locations include a Trader Joe’s grocery store at 8928 Holly Ave. NE in Albuquerque, where exposure may have occurred on Tuesday, May 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Ribs Hickory Pit restaurant at 12220 NM-14 in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, which was visited on Saturday, May 10, between noon and 3 p.m.
The NMDOH has asked anyone at these locations during the times listed to watch for symptoms of measles and call the health department’s helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE or 1-833-796-8773. The helpline offers assistance in verifying vaccination status, offers medical guidance, and can help schedule MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccinations for children and adults.
Health officials expressed concern that areas with limited health care access or lower vaccination coverage could be especially vulnerable to outbreaks. Several rural and tribal communities, including Counselor, Torreón, and Cuba, are in Sandoval County. These communities may face additional challenges in responding quickly to public health threats.
To help increase access to vaccinations, the Sandoval County Public Health Office, located at 1500 Idalia Rd. in Bernalillo, New Mexico, offers MMR vaccinations without an appointment. Vaccines are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Residents seeking more information are encouraged to contact the office at (505) 867-2291, extension 1707.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to hospitalization, pneumonia, brain swelling, or even death, particularly among young children or individuals with weakened immune systems.
The NMDOH is urging residents across the region to review their vaccination records and ensure they are up to date. Public health officials emphasized that measles is preventable through timely vaccination and that swift action now can help contain the virus’s further spread.
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