DEMING – State health officials confirm 71 cases of measles have been identified in New Mexico this year, marking the worst outbreak in over a decade.
The majority of cases are concentrated in Lea County, with one adult death reported from complications. The New Mexico Department of Health said the individual was unvaccinated.
No cases have been reported in Luna County.
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, had been largely eliminated in the U.S. but has resurged in recent years. Health officials are urging New Mexicans to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that national cases have more than doubled since last year, reflecting a growing public health concern.
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