Latest news with #NewMexicoDepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Positive measles sample found in Roswell wastewater testing
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) — The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed on Tuesday that a positive measles sample was found through wastewater testing in Roswell. The sample was taken on June 3 as part of a wastewater testing initiative that has been conducted in 11 treatment facilities around New Mexico since March. Story continues below New Mexico Crime Files: Grocery store worker hands out semen-tainted yogurt Film: These productions were filmed at White Sands. Have you seen them? New Mexico News Insiders: Who Will Fix New Mexico's Mental Health Problems? News: Governor's Office: Operation Zia Shield is different than situation in California The sample does not represent an official measles case, according to the NMDOH. However, the department says it serves as a reminder for Chaves County residents to check on their MMR vaccination. There are currently 81 measles cases reported in New Mexico. The last laboratory-confirmed case in Chaves County was on April 5. 'While wastewater testing cannot tell us the timing, location or number of people infected with measles, this detection tells us there was at least one person infectious with measles in Roswell around June 3 and puts us on notice there may be more cases in Chaves County in the coming days,' said Dr. Daniel Sosin, NMDOH medical epidemiologist. NMDOH carries out weekly wastewater measles testing in Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, Carlsbad, Chaparral, Deming, Las Cruces, Portales, Rincon, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe and the South Central treatment plant in Doña Ana County. Symptoms of measles 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. Anyone with symptoms is asked to stay home and contact their health provider, or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
San Juan pediatrician talks vaccines, measles precautions
Vials of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are displayed on a counter at a Walgreens Pharmacy on January 26, 2015 in Mill Valley, California. (Photo by Illustration) Earlier this week, a young child in San Juan County with one dose of the measles vaccine contracted the measles on a domestic flight, putting area doctors on watch for more cases. 'I would say we're in a cautious holding pattern,' Dr. Brad Scoggins, a pediatrician based in Farmington, told Source New Mexico. 'We're appropriately concerned, but not panicked.' Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, spreads through contact with airborne droplets from an infected person's coughs and sneezes. Symptoms can take one to three weeks tos develop, and include headache, cough, fever, red eyes and a spotty red rash on the head and face that spreads across the body. New Mexico health officials report measles exposures in San Juan, Lea county hospitals Scoggins said the clinic has enacted increased precautions to prevent spread, such as using virtual visits or testing any cases with symptoms of fever and rash outside of the clinic. The New Mexico Department of Health reported no change in the state's number of cases Friday, but public health officials have recently warned they expect a rise in cases due to summer travel. Much like cases across the U.S., over 80% of New Mexico's 81 measles infections impacted people who are unvaccinated or of unknown status. However, 13 cases of New Mexico's included patients with at least one dose of the vaccine. One dose of the measles vaccine offers 93% protection from infection and a second dose offers higher protection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When spread increases, measles can sometimes infect vaccinated people, but but with less severity, because the vaccine primes the body's defense system to fight it, Scoggins said. 'In real world terms, that means that the duration of illness is a bit shorter, and the severity is less,' he said. '[Measles, mumps rubella] vaccine is considered a sterilizing vaccine. So once you've had the vaccination, you should theoretically not be able to transmit it — or at least, it's much less likely.' Scoggins said he empathizes with parents who are concerned about safety and efficacy of vaccines, despite decades of research. 'There's a whole lot of noise out there right now, and it's hard for parents to know, I think, who to listen to,' he said. Scoggins said he's working to counter misinformation by pointing people to works of history including 'The Great Influenza' on the 1918 flu epidemic and 'Man and Microbes,' a history of plagues. 'It offers a little bit of a historical perspective because we live in a time where we're so protected from these things, but it's only because of what our forebears have instituted,' he said. Scoggins said that vaccine advice doesn't just apply to his patients, noting his own children have vaccinations, as do all 12 of the pediatricians and nurse practitioners in his office with children. 'All of our kids have had their vaccines on their regular schedule,' he said. 'We don't do anything for other people's kids that we wouldn't do for our own. Officials from San Juan County Regional Medical Center urged patients to call the NMDOH hotline at 1-833-796-8773, with any questions about testing, vaccines or symptoms. 'The best thing our community can do to protect themselves is to get vaccinated against the measles,' said Laura Werbner, a spokesperson at San Juan County Regional Medical Center. 'Talk to your pediatrician about the measles vaccine for your children. If you are an adult and have not been vaccinated, you can still get the vaccine.' More information about free vaccine clinics can be found at the state's measles webpage. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Mexico Environment Department offers free well water testing in Taos on June 14
TAOS COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) — The New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health are hosting a free domestic well water testing event in Taos on Saturday, June 14 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Taos Farmer's Market. The first 100 participants will receive the free test. Story continues below News: Surveillance video captures crash involving off-duty officer that severely injured man Events: What's happening around New Mexico June 6-12? Albuquerque Pride Parade New Mexico Strange: Holy dirt and healing water: A look at NM's miraculous locations The results will be mailed to their house within two to three weeks. Participants are asked to bring their own water sample to the event. They're also asked to bring basic information such as well depth, depth to water, well casing material, well latitude and longitude and distance from the well to the nearest septic tank or leachfield system. You can find guidelines on how to collect those samples below: 'Let the water run for two to three minutes before collecting the sample Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any odors with at least a quart or liter of your well water If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head prior to any filtration or softener systems, if possible Fill the container with water as close to the time of testing as possible' If someone is unable to attend but wants their well water tested, a family member or neighbor can bring the sample to the event. That sample must be clearly labeled with the owner's name, phone number, address and well information attached. 'Private well owners in Taos County can come to this water fair and find out more about the quality of their household drinking water,' Ground Water Quality Bureau Chief Justin Ball said. 'When we know what's in our well water, we can take action. Free testing helps our communities stay informed and healthy.' You can find upcoming events by the New Mexico Environment Department on their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
06-06-2025
- Health
US measles cases nearing 30-year high
The number of measles cases in the U.S. this year has quadrupled compared to 2024 and is nearing a 30-year high. As of Friday, there have been 1,168 confirmed measles cases across 33 states nationwide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, the U.S. saw just 285 measles cases, CDC data shows. The U.S. is currently on track for the highest number of measles case since 2019. The 33 states with confirmed cases include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Among the nationally confirmed cases, the CDC says 95% are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Meanwhile, 2% of cases are among those who have received just one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and 3% of cases are among those who received the required two doses, according to the CDC. At least two school-aged children have died. Both were unvaccinated and had no known underlying conditions, according to Texas health officials said. A third measles death was recorded in New Mexico among an unvaccinated adult who tested positive after dying, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in New Mexico, NMDOH says
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the New Mexico Department of Health says gun-related deaths continue to be a public health emergency in the state. Story continues below Community:ABQ bus driver speaks out on her experience of safety issues on Central route News:Homeland Security: 11 people arrested at New Mexico dairy were 'undocumented' Trending:Mexican gray wolf Asha gives birth to litter of pups Food: Two Albuquerque restaurants make Yelp's 'Top 50 Cheap Eats' list Between 2019 and 2023, firearms were the second leading cause of death for children aged 1-18, and in 2023 alone, there were 530 firearm-related deaths in the state, including homicide, suicide, and accidents, NMDOH stated in a news release. In addition, the age-adjusted firearm death rate in New Mexico (25.3 per 100,000 residents) is the fifth highest in the United States. 'Gun-related deaths are one of the leading causes of death in children and teens in New Mexico,' Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH chief medical officer, stated in the release. 'Securing firearms is a proven strategy to reduce gun violence and to keep our communities and our children safe.' NMDOH encourages residents to wear orange during the weekend of June 6-8 to help raise awareness on the impact of gun violence. The department also reminded residents that they can get free cable gun locks by requesting them online here. The Safe Storage New Mexico program has distributed 11,000 of these locks to New Mexicans since the start of 2025. If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Additional resources are available at the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
