DOH: carbon monoxide poisoning on rise

The New Mexico Department of Health is alerting the public to an increase in carbon monoxide poisoning cases as temperatures remain cold.

The DOH’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Program shows that 89 statewide emergency department visits for carbon monoxide poisonings were reported from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program from Oct. 1, 2023, to date, according to a news release.

Additionally, within the same period, there was one fatality of a male in his 50s from Chaves County.

“Carbon monoxide is a hidden danger,” said Patrick Allen, secretary for the DOH. “Don’t let lack of awareness lead to tragedy.”

Between 2017 and 2021, there were 73 carbon monoxide-related deaths in New Mexico.