Home / Health / Measles Spreads in NM Jails: Six Cases Confirmed
Measles Spreads in NM Jails: Six Cases Confirmed
5 Mar
Summary
- Six measles cases confirmed in New Mexico, all federal detainees.
- New case identified in Las Cruces jail; potential courthouse exposure.
- Health officials urge MMR vaccination and symptom monitoring.
New Mexico's Department of Health confirmed a sixth measles case on Wednesday, involving a federal inmate at the Doña Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces. This brings the total confirmed cases to six, all within federal detention facilities across the state. Health officials are particularly concerned about potential exposure at the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces on February 24.
Individuals who may have been exposed are advised to monitor for measles symptoms, which include fever, cough, and rash, and can appear one to three weeks after exposure. Vaccination teams have been sent to the affected detention centers in Hidalgo, Luna, and Doña Ana counties. Health authorities strongly recommend the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination to prevent further spread.
This situation in New Mexico occurs amid a broader national surge in measles cases, with over 1,000 infections reported in the first two months of 2026. Texas also reported an outbreak this week involving at least 14 confirmed cases at a federal immigration detention facility near El Paso.
