Health officials are warning of possible measles exposure after a traveler diagnosed with the disease spent several hours at an Albuquerque hotel late last month.
The New Mexico Department of Health said Tuesday that a traveler from South Carolina who was diagnosed with measles stayed at the Quality Inn at 450 Paisano St. NE from 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 28 through 7 a.m. on Dec. 29.
“This situation reminds us there continue to be active measles cases across the United States,” Dr. Miranda Durham, the department’s chief medical officer, said in a statement. “The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles.”
The department is urging anyone who was at the hotel during that time to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms over the next 21 days. Those who develop symptoms should stay home and contact their health care provider or the department’s helpline at 1-833-796-8773.
According to the health department, measles symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure and begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A red spotted rash usually follows, starting on the head or face and spreading down the body.
People infected with measles can transmit the disease from four days before to four days after the rash appears, the department said.
New Mexico has not reported any measles cases since mid-August, though the state recorded 100 cases in 2025, according to health officials.
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