26 Adults Infected with Measles in New Mexico

While most measles cases reported in the United States are in children, new data from Lea County, New Mexico, indicates the current outbreak is different.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) confirmed on March 8, 2025, that of the total 30 measles cases since February 9, 2025, all have been residents of Lea County and include 26 adults and four children under the age of 17.

Health officials emphasize this is not a rapidly expanding measles outbreak.

These cases did not occur simultaneously but were identified by the NMDOH Scientific Laboratory Division, retrospectively, with many detected only after patients had recovered from their illness.

“The large majority of Lea County residents are vaccinated and well-protected even if they come into contact with the virus,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer, in a press release.

According to NMDOH and the U.S. CDC, vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from the contagious measles virus.

To alert visitors to this area of east New Mexico and a section of western Texas during the spring and summer travel season in the United States, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network on March 7, 2025.

The CDC has reported 222 measles cases in twelve U.S. jurisdictions this year, and the risk for widespread measles outbreaks in the U.S. remains low due to robust immunization and surveillance programs.

However, the CDC has issued Travel Health Advisories identifying numerous countries reporting measles outbreaks in 2025.