New Mexico Offers Model to Manage Measles Outbreaks

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/publichealth/120351...

Published: Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:26:50 -0400

New Mexico managed a measles outbreak in 2025 through a combination of a broad communication campaign and expanded MMR vaccination for both children and adults[1][2]. The outbreak began in January 2025 after cases in neighboring Texas and affected 99 cases in nine counties, with one death in an unvaccinated adult and the hospitalization of seven patients, including five unvaccinated children[1][3]. The NMDOH Public Health Department issued 12 health alerts, 26 press releases, 184 social media posts, and organized 60 mobile vaccination clinics in 11 districts[1][2]. The communication strategy also included a measles website on 21 February and a helpline which received 2004 calls[1]. In the period from January 1 to September 26, 2025, 55% more MMR doses were given (61,592) compared to the same period in 2024 (39,847), an increase of 18% for children and almost a fourfold increase for adults (by 291%)[1][2][6]. The outbreak was declared over on 26 September 2025 after two 21-day incubation periods since the last infectious case on 14 August[1]. This model of coordinated communication and vaccination was based on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic[1].