New Mexico confirms latest measles case at a local jail

New Mexico Verifies Sixth Measles Case in Las Cruces Jail

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Department of Health confirmed a measles case at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, bringing the total number of verified instances in the state to six. The affected individual is a federal inmate, according to officials. Health authorities noted that others who visited the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces on February 24 may have been exposed to the virus, as the disease is highly contagious.

“Measles can spread rapidly, and people who were at the courthouse on February 24 should review their vaccination records and contact healthcare providers if they experience symptoms,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for New Mexico. “The MMR vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent infection.”

Measles symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash, typically appear between seven and 21 days after exposure. State officials are now monitoring for any additional cases linked to the outbreak, urging prompt action. All confirmed cases so far involve federal detainees.

The first reported case emerged in Hidalgo County Detention Center on February 25, when a detainee with an undetermined vaccination status tested positive. Subsequent cases were identified in Luna County and Doña Ana County facilities within two days, with the latter now including the recent confirmed infection. Both Luna and Doña Ana county detention centers function as local jails and immigration holding facilities.

New Mexico’s health department has deployed vaccination teams to all three detention centers to ensure compliance with quarantine and testing protocols. This follows a statewide measles outbreak in 2025, which affected 100 individuals from mid-February to mid-September. Officials emphasize that the current cases mark the first reported this year.

Nationally, measles cases have surged, with over 1,000 confirmed in the first two months of 2026—nearly half the total from the entire previous year. The state’s outbreak comes as 2026 ranks among the top three years for measles infections since 2000. In Texas, a new outbreak was confirmed at Camp East Montana, located on Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso. At least 14 cases were reported there, with infected individuals isolated to curb further transmission.

Nicole Acevedo, NBC News reporter, contributed to this report.