New Mexico Measles Cases Rise to 13, Two Linked to Hidalgo County Jail

Thirteen people incarcerated in southern New Mexico detention facilities have tested positive for measles in 2026, the New Mexico Department of Health announced March 19, with two of those cases confirmed at the Hidalgo County Detention Center.

The case count jumped by seven in roughly a week and a half. Eight infections are concentrated at the Luna County Detention Center, three at the Doña Ana County jail, and two at the Hidalgo County jail. One of the Hidalgo County cases involves a federal inmate whose positive test was confirmed at the NMDOH's Scientific Laboratory. The patient's vaccination status is unknown.

Jail and federal officials have provided few answers on how the virus entered the facilities. The state Health Department deployed vaccination crews to all three detention centers and is coordinating with Hidalgo County on quarantine, isolation, testing and vaccination protocols to contain further spread.

"This new case reminds us that risk for measles did not end following the 2025 statewide outbreak," said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. "We continue to encourage everyone in New Mexico to be fully vaccinated against measles."

The disease moves fast. Measles symptoms develop between seven and 21 days after exposure, typically beginning with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes before a red spotted rash appears on the head or face and spreads down the body. An infected person can pass measles to others starting four days before the rash appears through four days after.

The 2026 cases arrive as measles surges nationally. As of March 12, the CDC had confirmed 1,362 cases across the United States in 2026, with major outbreaks ongoing in Utah and South Carolina.

New Mexico knows this terrain. The state's 2025 outbreak, which began in February of that year and was declared over on September 26, caused one death, seven hospitalizations and 100 infections, including five in Santa Fe County. That crisis did prompt a sharp public response: MMR vaccinations statewide rose 55 percent from January through September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with adult vaccinations climbing 291 percent during the outbreak.

With spring break approaching, Durham urged residents to act before travel. "As families gear up to travel over spring break or summer, we encourage people to check their vaccination records and ensure they are up to date," she said. "Measles remains very active in many parts of the country and abroad."

The NMDOH has not identified any public locations in Hidalgo County where community exposure may have occurred. Anyone with questions about measles, vaccines or potential exposure can call the Department of Health Helpline at 833-796-8773.