
New Mexico health officials: Measles case reported in San Juan County
The child, who had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, contracted the virus on a domestic flight.
The new case comes about a week and a half after officials said exposures were possible at sites in Santa Fe, although no local cases have been reported.
The best way to avoid measles is to get the MMR vaccine, health officials say. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
'Travel can increase the risk of exposure,' Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said in a statement Tuesday. 'Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go make sure you're up to date on your vaccines.'
The diagnosis brings New Mexico's total measles cases to 81 amid a series of outbreaks of the disease nationwide. Though New Mexico's measles cases stem from a larger outbreak in West Texas, more than 1,000 cases had been reported across 32 states, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.
San Juan County is the seventh New Mexico county to see a measles case since February and the first in the far northern reaches of the state. The majority of cases remain in Lea County, with six more in Sandoval County, three in Eddy County, two in Doña Ana County and one each in Chaves and Curry counties.
The Navajo Nation, which includes much of San Juan County, issued health advisories in February and March warning residents of the dangers of measles.
Though the child caught measles outside of San Juan County, the Department of Health warned people might have been exposed to measles recently at the following locations:
* San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 W. Maple St. in Farmington, from 10:30 p.m. May 26 to 4:15 a.m. May 27 and from 2 to 4 p.m. May 28.
* San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 S. Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. May 30.
* NorLea Hobbs Medical Clinic, 1923 N. Dal Paso St in Hobbs, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. May 27.
Measles symptoms, which develop seven to 21 days after exposure, include 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.
The state Department of Health advises people who develop symptoms to stay home to prevent further spread and contact their health care providers or the agency's Helpline at 833-SWNURSE (833-796-8773) for further guidance.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
'We have forgotten how serious measles can be'
Health officials are urging parents in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire to check their children are fully vaccinated against measles. NHS figures reveal uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab has fallen across the two regions. Grimsby GP Dr Nathalie Dukes said: "The evidence is clear that the increase in the number of people who are getting infected is coinciding with the rates of vaccination dropping." Dr Dukes said she believed one of the reasons behind the fall in vaccination numbers is that people have "forgotten how serious conditions like measles can be". She said: "We have come to the luxurious position where up until recently these conditions were not really around anymore. "We didn't see many cases so it was out of our remit of relevance to a degree. "Information overload is another factor. I think people have got a bit vaccine fatigue since Covid in terms of being told what to do and in terms of concerns, so people have maybe taken that to childhood vaccinations as well." Measles is a highly contagious disease spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes and it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications in some people, including infections of the lungs and brain. The target set by the World Health Organisation to prevent the spread of measles through herd immunity is a 95% overall vaccination rate. Latest NHS figures show 83% of children received their second dose of the MMR vaccine by the age of five in North Lincolnshire and Hull in 2023/24 - down from 91% in 2013/14. Uptake is also 83% in Lincolnshire - 4% lower than 10 years ago, while rates have also dropped by 4% to 91% in North East Lincolnshire. In 2024, there were more than 2,900 confirmed measles cases in England - the highest number of cases recorded annually since 2012. Since the beginning of this year, there have been 529 confirmed cases reported in England, according to figures by the UK Health Security Agency. In July, a child died at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after contracting the disease. Birmingham experienced an outbreak, with government figures showing 26 confirmed cases between January and June, while Bristol had recorded the most cases to date outside London with 11% of the national total. Speaking at a children's play centre in Hull, mum-of-two Lily Kemp said it was important to make sure children were fully vaccinated against infections, such as measles. She said: "I think social media doesn't help because people share their experiences and some might comment on the short-term effects rather than the long-term benefits of what they're protecting against if they get vaccinated." A joint statement from the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Hull City Council said: "While the majority of children are protected, there remain pockets of low uptake that increase the risk of measles outbreaks. "Vaccination remains the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. "We urge all parents and carers to check their child's Red Book or contact their GP if they are unsure whether their child is up to date." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet stories Measles holiday warning as cases rise in Europe Child dies at Alder Hey after contracting measles Why are measles cases rising in the UK? Related internet links NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB Hull City Council


New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
New York hit with air quality alert as Canadian wildfire smoke spreads
New York was hit with an air quality alert Saturday as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the state. The warning, issued by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health, covers the five boroughs, Long Island, the Lower and Upper Hudson Valley and the Adirondacks. 3 Hazy skies blanketed New York on Saturday as wildfire smoke from Canada triggered an air quality alert across the state. Ron Adar / M10s / Advertisement Officials advised New Yorkers to stay indoors and skip strenuous outdoor activity. Pollution from fine particulate matter — PM2.5 — is expected to push the Air Quality Index over 100, hitting levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions. 3 Officials warned vulnerable New Yorkers to stay indoors as fine particle pollution reached unhealthy levels. Getty Images Advertisement The tiny particles can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, along with coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. They can also worsen asthma and heart disease. The alert is expected to remain in effect until Sunday. It's the latest smoke surge to cloud city skies this year. An alert was also issued in early June, when ozone pollution and wildfire haze from Canada triggered warnings across the tri-state. Advertisement 3 Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires drifted south, clouding skies from the Adirondacks to the Big Apple. Robert Sabo for NY Post As of July 23, Canada has seen 3,345 fires in 2025 — scorching over 14 million acres, more than double the 10-year average. More than 50 remain out of control.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The FDA's Newest Approval Could Have a Major Impact on Your Favorite Foods
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The FDA has approved gardenia (genipin) blue, a natural dye from gardenia fruit, for use in various foods and drinks. This move supports the shift away from synthetic dyes due to health concerns and industry pressure. Some manufacturers worry natural dyes may affect flavor and appearance, making consumer acceptance challenging. As artificial food dyes are being phased out from food and drink brands across the U.S. due to crackdowns from the Department of Health, natural food dyes are replacing them. The FDA is also following suit, approving the use of gardenia blue color additive, a color derived from natural sources, in popular food and drink. You're probably wondering what this food dye is, what it's made from, and, most importantly, what this means for your future snacking and sipping. According to the FDA, gardenia (genipin) blue is made from the fruit of the gardenia plant. Basically, this naturally derived compound creates a pigmented blue color that's appealing in certain candies and drinks. The natural food dye was petitioned by, you guessed it, the Gardenia Blue Interest Group. Once the FDA signs off on a color additive, food and beverage companies have the green light to use the said color in designated products determined by the FDA. So far, it's unclear which food and beverage companies are already using gardenia (genipin) blue. However, the FDA approved the natural dye for use in a range of products, including sports drinks, fruit drinks and ades, flavored or enhanced carbonated water, soft candies, hard candies, and ready-to-drink teas. If you're concerned about gardenia (genipin) blue and other naturally derived dyes altering the taste of your favorite food and drinks, you're not alone. Multiple reports showcase that while natural food dyes aren't colorless (obviously, the color is what you want), they can affect the taste and texture of food and drinks. In July, Kirk Vashaw, the head of Spangler Candy Company (which makes Dum-Dum lollipops), revealed to The New York Times that natural colors and ingredients tend to fade the color of products and change the signature taste. In regards to his company's naturally colored and flavored products, Varshaw said: 'They have never sold well because the taste isn't the same. Masking that taste is really, really difficult. If people are celebrating and eating treats, they don't want to be tasting beets.' The FDA's approval of the natural food dye relates to the ongoing removal of petroleum-based dyes from major food brands, including Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Nestle, just to name a few. Studies found that certain artificial food dyes increase colonic inflammation, damage DNA, and impact the microbiome (in mice). In addition, other studies suggest artificial dyes increase hyperactivity in some children. 'Now, by expanding the palette of available colors derived from natural sources, food manufacturers have a variety of options available that will make it easier to end their use of petroleum-based dyes,' FDA Commissioner Marty Makary's statement reads on the official website. The news also aligns with the FDA's recent actions implementing the use of more natural food dyes. Back in May, the FDA signed off on three other colors from natural sources: butterfly pea flower extract, galdieria extract blue, and calcium phosphate. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50