From the New Mexico Department of Health (02/12/2025)
Recently, New Mexico had a confirmed case of measles, a highly contagious infectious disease. Since the majority of cases in the United States are in people who are not vaccinated against measles, we are asking New Mexico schools to ensure all students are up to date on measles vaccination per the 2024-2025 NM Child and School Requirements and to educate staff on the importance of immunizations in the prevention of communicable disease.
Initial symptoms occur 7-14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed 2-4 days later by a rash that moves from the head downward. Sometimes immunocompromised patients do not develop the rash. Measles has the potential to cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, and even death.
It is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets spread by an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Infected people are contagious from 4 days before their rash starts through 4 days afterwards; therefore, infected persons need to isolate at home for four days after the rash develops. Even after an infected person leaves a location, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours.
Those most at risk for severe illness or the disease are:
Anyone who has not been vaccinated with two doses of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
vaccine.
Infants and children under 5 years of age.
Immunocompromised students and staff members.
Pregnant students and staff members.
Prompt actions by school staff could help reduce the spread of measles. Please follow the below guidance:
Consider placing signage on entrance doorways to direct students to a school nurse or pre-
established location if they have a rash.
Pre-determine a location where students and staff could be isolated if need be.
Isolate any student or staff member immediately if they have symptoms and have student or
staff member wear a mask, if available.
If you have a school nurse, all assessments of suspected measles are to be conducted in
this predetermined isolation room to avoid further exposure to other students.
Refer the student or staff member to a healthcare provider. Do not send directly to a clinic
or provider office until the clinic or provider office is informed of the symptoms first.
If a school has a student or staff member with suspected or confirmed measles, the school should call the New Mexico Department of Health Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773). Measles is a reportable condition, and all New Mexico schools are to report per 7.4.3.13 NEW MEXICO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
Any student who is not up to date on measles vaccination should be referred to a healthcare provider or a local public health office. It is also recommended that all adult staff members who do not know their immunity status seek medical consultation. Over 93 percent of people who get the first dose of MMR develop immunity to measles. After the second dose, about 97 percent of people are protected. Per the CDC, those born before 1957 have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles.
For additional information, visit the New Mexico Department of Health website.