On Apr. 15, 2025, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports an unvaccinated child in Doña Ana County has been diagnosed with measles – the first measles case in that county. The Doña Ana County case plus four additional cases among unvaccinated people in Lea County brings the total number of measles cases in New Mexico to 63.

Measles is highly contagious and new cases are being reported from counties bordering Texas with a growing incidence across the state. Due to the ongoing risk of exposure to measles, New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) recommends a dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months who live in Doña Ana County, or who will be traveling to Doña Ana and Lea Counties.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against the virus. Measles can be transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

People who are infected will begin to have symptoms within a week or two after being exposed. One in five cases requires hospitalization, and approximately three in every 1,000 cases result in death.

The number of adults and children getting the MMR vaccine continues to rise statewide – with 18,449 vaccinations between Feb. 1 and April 14, compared to 9,863 in the same time period last year.