A measles outbreak in western Texas is growing, with health officials reporting a new case confirmed in the neighboring state of New Mexico.
However, health officials noted, "The New Mexico youth had no recent travel or exposure to known cases from the Texas outbreak," according to a news release from the NMDOH.
The NMDOH alerted Lea County residents of potential exposure sites in Lovington, where the sick patient had visited, including the Nor-Lea Hospital Emergency Department on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and the Sixth Grade Academy gymnasium on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time.
According to the health department, Measles symptoms usually occur seven to 21 days after a person is exposed and can include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, followed by a red spotted rash. Complications can include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia.