By Organ Mountain News on Jun 1, 2026

NMDOH reports second measles exposure at Las Cruces federal courthouse this year

Anyone at the U.S. District Court building at 100 N. Church St. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27 may have encountered measles.

The U.S. District Court building at 100 N. Church St. in Las Cruces, where state health officials identified a possible measles exposure on May 27. (Courtesy photo / City of Las Cruces)

A federal inmate held at Luna County Detention Center tested positive in New Mexico’s 16th measles case this year.

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Health issued a measles exposure warning Monday after a federal inmate held at the Luna County Detention Center tested positive for the virus.

NMDOH identified a possible exposure period at the U.S. District Court building, 100 N. Church St. in Las Cruces, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27.

It is the second measles exposure warning involving the federal courthouse in Las Cruces this year. In March, NMDOH reported that a federal inmate held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center had tested positive for measles, with potential exposure at the same courthouse on Feb. 24.

The case marks New Mexico’s 16th measles case this year, according to the department.

NMDOH said it is working with court administrative staff to educate people who work in the building about measles and ensure they have protection against future infection risk.

People who develop symptoms and believe they encountered measles during the exposure period should call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-796-8773 for guidance in English or Spanish. NMDOH said people should contact a doctor or emergency department before arriving so medical staff can prepare for the visit.

Measles symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms usually begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before a red spotted rash appears, typically starting on the head or face and spreading down the body.

People with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears through four days after it begins, according to NMDOH.

“The New Mexico Department of Health continues to urge people to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, the best tool to protect you from contracting measles,” Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for NMDOH, said in a news release.

Earlier this year, NMDOH reported 15 measles cases involving federal detainees at three county detention centers: 10 at the Luna County Detention Center, three at the Doña Ana County Detention Center and two at the Hidalgo County Detention Center.

People who do not know their vaccination status can check their records at vaxview.doh.nm.gov, call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-796-8773 or text questions to 66364.

NMDOH provides more information about measles in English and Spanish at NMHealth.org.

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