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Vaccination Reminder After Measles Case

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New Mexico health officials are reporting the first confirmed case of measles in the state since 2012. The one-year-old victim was released from the hospital yesterday, but health officials are taking the opportunity to remind residents to get vaccinated.

Measles is very contagious, but it’s also very rare and completely preventable by vaccine. But when cases do occur in unvaccinated children—like the one this week—the consequences can be serious. Measles can cause pneumonia and potentially fatal brain infections.

“Any time we have a vaccine-preventable disease like measles that pops up, everyone should be checking their own vaccination status,” said State Epidemiologist Michael Landen. “They should check their vaccination records for themselves and their family, and they should make sure they’re up to date.”

Health Department officials are undergoing a follow-up investigation to identify who was potentially exposed to the disease.

Ed Williams came to KUNM in 2014 by way of Carbondale, Colorado, where he worked as a public radio reporter covering environmental issues. Originally from Austin, Texas, Ed has reported on environmental, social justice, immigration and Native American issues in the U.S. and Latin America for the Austin American-Statesman, Z Magazine, NPR’s Latino USA and others. In his spare time, look for Ed riding his mountain bike in the Sandias or sparring on the jiu-jitsu mat.
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