News Releases

Health Risks on Hot Days and Extreme Heat

The New Mexico Department of Health cautions New Mexicans and visitors to be aware of weather conditions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat stress which can have many signs and symptoms like dizziness, nausea, cramping, and weakness.

• June 2020 - Be mindful of heat-related illness and know the signs to look out for yourself and others as temperatures in most of the state have risen above 90 degrees, and southern New Mexico counties are experiencing extreme heat.
• August 2019 - High temperatures in effect throughout the state and with extreme heat in the Southeast New Mexico.
• July 2019 - The New Mexico Department of Health encourages New Mexicans and visitors to take health steps on high-temperatures days to avoid suffering from heat-related illnesses.

Be Prepared for Wildland Fires and Smoke

June 2019 - Alerts for smoke from wildland fires, prescribed burns, and sometimes related to industrial or structure fires will be issued throughout summer and autumn.

• 06/24/2019 - Department of Health, Environment Department Issue Smoke Advisory for Potential Impacts in Lincoln County, New Mexico
• 06/21/2019 - Smoke Advisory for Potential Impacts to Central and NE New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Health encourages New Mexicans and visitors to protect their health during smoke-causing events. To learn how to use 5-3-1 Visibility Method to assess the air quality and how to protect your health from smoke, visit https://nmtracking.org/fire

Be Prepared for Monsoon Season and Flooding

June 2019 - The New Mexico Department of Health encourages New Mexicans and visitors to prepare for monsoon season, New Mexico's rainy season. Learn more here:

Perfluorinated Compounds: Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are chemicals that have been recently detected in groundwater.

• 05/09/2019 - High Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in Lake Holloman
• 10/19/2018 - Groundwater Contamination: Detected in Cannon Air Force Base Groundwater

Asthma in New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Health reports uncontrolled asthma leads to nearly 8,000 emergency department visits every year, according to data collected and analyzed from Asthma Emergency Department Visits (2008-2016) by the NMDOH Epidemiology and Response Division.

• 05/06/2019 - New Mexico Department of Health Reports Nearly 8,000 Emergency Department Visits Annually Due to Asthma

Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports the leading cause of death for both men and women in the state is heart disease - this as the department raises awareness of American Heart Month.

• 01/30/2019 - Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in New Mexico

Know How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

November 2019 - As temperatures continue to fall, the New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center remind New Mexicans that they can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by taking a few protection measures.

Vaping-Associated Lung Disease

August 2019 - The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is investigating possible cases of lung disease that are associated with vaping. All cases under investigation have been hospitalized with severe breathing problems after vaping including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. NMDOH, other states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still investigating the possible causes of these illnesses.