Unvaccinated adult in Eddy County tests positive for measles

By: Morgan Reed Date: September 15, 2026

An unvaccinated adult in Eddy County has tested positive for measles, bringing the total number of measles cases in New Mexico this year to 18. The New Mexico Department of Health said the individual most likely acquired the infection out of state and developed symptoms after arriving in New Mexico.

NMDOH listed locations where people may have been exposed:

Thursday, Aug. 6 through Monday, Aug. 10: Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers campus at 1793 N 13th St. in Artesia.
Sunday, Aug. 9, 7:30 to 10 a.m.: Walmart, 604 N 26th St. in Artesia.
Monday, Aug. 10 through Tuesday, Aug. 11, 9:15 p.m. to 3:50 a.m.: Artesia General Hospital Emergency Room, 702 N 13th St. in Artesia.

Anyone who was at those locations is advised to check vaccination status and report any measles symptoms in the next 21 days to a health care provider.

“With measles still active around the country, the New Mexico Department of Health encourages people to check their vaccination status and get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination if needed,” Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH, stated in a news release. “Vaccination is the best tool for protection from measles.”

Those who develop symptoms are urged to stay home to prevent further spread and contact a health care provider or the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance.

Symptoms typically begin with 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. People are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash first appears.

NMDOH said it is coordinating with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to ensure quarantine, isolation, testing and vaccination protocols are followed to minimize the risk of measles spread.