Measles Outbreak - New Mexico, 2025

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus with the potential to cause large outbreaks, as well as serious complications, hospitalization, and death. Receipt of 2 doses of measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing disease and is recommended for all persons aged ≥12 months to ensure high levels of population immunity and reduce the risk for outbreaks. In January 2025, a large measles outbreak began in a west Texas community and quickly spread to nearby jurisdictions, including New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) eventually reported 99 outbreak-related measles cases, approximately one half of which occurred in adults. To facilitate dissemination of information and distribution of resources across a geographically large, rural state, NMDOH implemented a multimodal communication and vaccination outreach strategy, including a centralized webpage, a telephone helpline, and mobile vaccination clinics. The outreach strategy coincided with a statewide 55% increase in MMR vaccine doses administered during January 1-September 26, 2025, compared with the same period in 2024. Coordinating public communication and improving access to MMR vaccine can support vaccine administration across large, rural areas and contribute to a measles outbreak response.