A Pueblo resident who recently traveled to Mexico is now Colorado’s first confirmed case of measles since 2023, public health officials said Monday.

The person recently visited an area with an ongoing measles outbreak and was not vaccinated, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release.

People who went to the Southwest Deli and Cafe in south Pueblo between March 17 and 21 and the Southern Colorado Clinic in Pueblo West from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on March 22 may have been exposed to measles, state officials said.

Anyone who was potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding public gatherings.

Measles is highly contagious and can cause a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, tiny white spots inside the mouth and a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis.

Anyone who was exposed and starts to develop symptoms should immediately call their doctor, an urgent care center or emergency department.

Measles cases in the United States are on track to surpass 2024 numbers, and a child in Texas died from measles in February, marking the first pediatric death since 2003. The last adult death from measles was in 2015.

Measles is both extremely contagious and highly preventable with a vaccine, state epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said in a statement.

“The MMR vaccine provides excellent protection and helps prevent outbreaks like the one we are seeing globally,” she said. “We urge Coloradans to review their vaccination status and take steps to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”

The vaccine may also prevent infection if given within 72 hours of being exposed, according to state officials.

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