Measles outbreak is spreading in New Mexico

Measles cases initially reported in west Texas are now being reported in eastern New Mexico

As of February 19, 2025, there are 58 confirmed cases of measles in west Texas, mostly in Gaines County and now 8 cases in Lea County, which is a neighboring county in Eastern New Mexico. A family of five in Lea County all tested positive for measles and are currently isolating.

Overall, in New Mexico, there are 4 adults and 4 children with confirmed cases of measles. All 4 children and 2 adults were not vaccinated. The other two who were adults believed that they were vaccinated as children.

New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is notifying potentially exposed individuals and providing prevention guidance. If you visited these locations during specified times, you may have been exposed:

• Stone Elementary School, Hobbs, N.M. on Thursday, Feb 6.

• Albertsons grocery store, 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 6.

• Albertsons grocery store, 2402 N. Grimes St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 8.

• Crosswinds Community Church, 1701 N Jefferson St., Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 9.

• Walgreens, 801 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 9.

• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday Feb. 10.

• Nor-Lea Hospital extended hours clinic, 1923 N Dal Paso, Hobbs, N.M. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb 10.

• Nor-Lea Hospital emergency department between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

NMDOH has set up free measles vaccination clinics:

Free measles vaccination clinics in Lea County:
No appointment needed at five public health vaccination clinics over the next two weeks. If you have symptoms, call before visiting: Hobbs Office (575) 397-2463 | Lovington Office (575) 396-2853. Staff will provide guidance based on symptom severity.

• 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.

It is crucial that people who are not vaccinated get a booster if they live in this region of the country. So far, roughly 22% of people infected during this outbreak have been hospitalized, which is in line with the 1 in 5 statistic for measles.

I have had many people send me messages who live in this area who have told me that they are concerned that many cases have gone unreported. Based on this, I am concerned that there may be hundreds of people who have contracted measles because of this outbreak.4

Should you get a MMR booster?

I have been asked this question a lot and I wish I had a clear answer for you. However, I am not your doctor. This is a discussion that you should have with your doctors to go over the potential risks and benefits.

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