Alcohol Awareness Month Encourages Working Together To Build Healthier Communities Across Oregon -04/15/25

April 15, 2025

Media Contact:  

• Erica Heartquist, OHA, phd.communications@oha.oregon.gov 
• Stephanie Condon, ADPC, stephanie.condon@oha.oregon.gov  
• John Brady, OLCC, john.brady@olcc.oregon.gov 

Alcohol Awareness Month encourages working together to build healthier communities across Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.—Three Oregon agencies are calling attention to the negative effects that excessive alcohol use has on our loved ones and communities as they recognize Alcohol Awareness Month in April.  

The Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC), Oregon Health Authorityand Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) are collaborating to prevent and reduce harm from excessive alcohol use.  

Excessive alcohol use, including heavy and binge drinking, is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon. It can cause liver disease, injuries, heart disease and several types of cancer.  

“Thousands of lives are lost each year in Oregon from excessive drinking, including deaths from alcohol-related diseases, alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents and violence caused by excessive drinking. We are committed to working together on solutions to save lives,” said Naomi Adeline-Biggs, OHA public health director. “We aren’t telling people not to drink. We’re asking them to think about the cues and pressure that may lead to excessive drinking, and we’re helping create spaces in Oregon that are safer for everyone.”   

In Oregon, about 1 in 5 adults drinks excessively. Most people who drink excessively are not addicted to alcohol. People in their 30s and 40s binge drink at close to the same rates as younger people. The number of older adults who drink excessively is also a concern because it can lead to serious harms that include falls, cognitive decline and other health problems.  

“Relationships with parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults are crucial for positive youth development and resilience,” said Annaliese Dolph, ADPC director. “Parents should know that drinking with parental permission during adolescence has been associated with later alcohol use, alcohol use disorders and alcohol-related harms for young adults. Additionally, youth are also four times more likely to drink alcohol if the parents in their lives binge drink. As we head into spring and summer, let’s think about our habits and the messages we send to our youth.” 

Alcohol remains the substance most widely used by teenagers in Oregon. Stopping underage drinking has significant and proven public health benefits, including reducing traffic fatalities and decreasing rates of substance abuse by adults later in life. This is why the OLCC is stepping up its compliance verification efforts across Oregon. 

“Protecting public health and safety is central to our mission,” said OLCC Commission Chair Dennis Doherty. “That’s why we want everyone who serves and sells alcohol—bars, restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores—to remain vigilant and ensure their staff adequately verify IDs. Selling alcohol to minors is not just a legal violation, it also puts Oregon youth at risk of severe and potentially life-long harms.” 

Here are tips for drinking less during 2025: 

• Count your drinks. 
• Make small shifts to drink less, such as eating while you’re drinking, or avoiding people, places or activities where you are tempted to drink more than usual. 
• Talk with your health care provider about alcohol use and ways you can improve your health. 
• When you host events, include non-alcoholic beverage options. 
• Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more. 
• Talk with people in your community about excessive alcohol use and ways we can build healthier environments.  

The OHA health initiative Rethink the Drink helps educate communities about the harms of excessive alcohol use. OHA funds partners in every county and Tribal community to prevent substance abuse and is committed to working with communities to find long-term, community-oriented solutions to public health dangers like excessive use of alcohol. 

Note: If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-4357. 

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Marketplace Affordability Programs Helped Nearly 140,000 Oregonians Obtain Private Insurance In 2024 -04/15/25

April 15, 2025

Amy Coven, 503-943-0164, amy.coven@oha.oregon.gov

Marketplace affordability programs helped nearly 140,000 Oregonians obtain private insurance in 2024

Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace annual report shows Oregonians receiving an average $531 per month in premium tax credits

SALEM, Ore. – A new report shows that during open enrollment for the 2025 plan year, 139,688 Oregonians enrolled in private health insurance through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace reduces the out-of-pocket costs associated with enrolling in private health coverage.  

According to the report, 80 percent of enrollees applied for and received financial assistance, helping to make health coverage more affordable for Oregonians:

• Individuals receiving financial help are getting an average of $531 per month in premium tax credits to lower the cost of coverage.
• The average bottom-line monthly premium for Oregonians after premium tax credits is $272.
• More than 11% of Marketplace enrollees have a monthly premium of less than $10 after applying premium tax credits.

“The Marketplace remains committed to ensuring that Oregonians can access high-quality, affordable private health coverage,” said Chiqui Flowers, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace director. “We continue to support individuals and families in finding coverage that meets their needs as health insurance enrollment evolves over time.”

The Marketplace today released its annual report (https://orhim.info/2024Report), detailing the state of Marketplace health coverage in Oregon. The report describes key trends in enrollment and financial assistance and highlights policy changes that improved access to health coverage.

During the Medicaid redetermination process after the pandemic, many Oregonians who were no longer eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) found private health plans through the Marketplace. OHP Bridge, Oregon’s new basic health program that provides a coverage option between Medicaid and private insurance, has also played a role in shaping enrollment trends this year.

“OHA’s goal is to ensure that no Oregonian is left without coverage,” said Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Interim Director Kristine Kautz. “The introduction of OHP Bridge and the Marketplace’s support for enrollees demonstrate our ongoing commitment to accessible health care for all.”

People leaving OHP or experiencing major life changes—such as a job change, relocation or family changes—may qualify for a special enrollment period to find private coverage. Oregonians who need to transition to a Marketplace plan from OHP or an employer plan should act before their benefits end to avoid a gap in coverage.

To explore coverage options, visit OregonHealthCare.gov, answer a few Oregon-specific questions and find the right application. Free, one-on-one assistance is available from insurance agents and community partners to help individuals navigate their options and enroll in the best plan for their needs. This assistance is available online, in person and in various languages.

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Year-over-year enrollment by program

The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.

OHA Empowering Communities To Reduce Tobacco Harms Statewide -04/10/25

April 10, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov 

OHA empowering communities to reduce tobacco harms statewide 

New report chronicles more than 25 years of progress -- though work remains  

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority is making steady progress in reducing harmful effects of tobacco use through education and community partnerships, according to a new report.  

The 2023-25 Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) annual report shows gains have been made in lowering tobacco use over more than a quarter century, through ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting public health.  

However, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon, claiming more than 8,000 lives each year and contributing to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

“Our commitment to reducing tobacco use is unwavering,” said Naomi Adeline-Biggs, director of the OHA Public Health Division. “Through the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, we have made significant strides in protecting the health of Oregonians, and we will continue to build on this legacy.”

The report shows that the tobacco industry “focuses its ads, offers and store displays toward specific groups.”

For example, about one in five people targeted in this strategy have household incomes of less than $20,000 per year. An identical percentage of targeted tobacco users report being in poor mental health.

Widespread evidence shows that tobacco marketing causes youth tobacco use and makes it harder for people who are addicted to nicotine to quit.

Another marketing strategy involves the addition of menthol – a flavor additive in cigarettes -- that creates a cooling sensation in the throat when the user inhales, making cigarettes feel less harsh, more appealing and easier to smoke, especially for youth and young adults. Tobacco companies manufacture menthol cigarettes to attract potential smokers, especially among communities of color and youth.

Menthol cigarettes contribute to greater nicotine dependence in youth and young adults than non-menthol cigarettes. About 61% of African Americans in Oregon who smoke report using menthol cigarettes, compared to 17% of White residents.

The tobacco industry has been marketing menthol products to African Americans through targeted campaigns since the 1970s. They advertise and promote menthol-flavored tobacco in African American neighborhoods and use campaigns that exploit cultural hallmarks and stereotypes.

For example, Newport, a menthol-flavored cigarette brand, is commonly cheaper to buy in areas with more African American residents.

Youth and teenagers are especially attracted to the flavored products. Roughly 75% of eighth graders and 11th graders who use these tobacco products report using flavored tobacco or vaping products.

Other report findings include:

• Sustained reduction in tobacco use—Oregon has experienced a 46% decrease in adult smoking rates and a 70% reduction in per-capita cigarette sales since TPEP's inception in 1996.
• Community-centered solutions—TPEP has focused on addressing health inequities by investing more than 65% of its funding directly into local communities, supporting culturally relevant prevention and cessation programs.
• Youth-focused initiatives—The program has implemented strategies to reduce youth tobacco use, including anti-vaping education, mentorship programs and alternatives to suspension for nicotine use.

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature created the Tobacco Retail License Program to ensure compliance with sales laws. Since its inception, youth tobacco use has dropped from 26% in 2022 to 14% in 2024.

This video shows how Youth Adult Inspectors with OHA’s Tobacco Retail Licensing Program are getting involved in reducing retail sales to minors.

OHA’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program has further implemented initiatives that have significantly decreased tobacco use among Oregonians.

This latest report underscores the program's achievements and outlines ongoing initiatives aimed at improving health.

Key to the momentum behind the state’s tobacco reduction efforts has been the development of collaborative efforts with community partners to further reduce tobacco-related harm and promote health equity across the state.

One such partner, AntFarm, a community-based organization in rural Clackamas County, has a robust mentorship program to help youth quit tobacco. It does this by creating spaces and projects that give youth a sense of belonging.

Youth-created videos highlight the organization’s work.  

Kim Wheeler, director of Youth and Family Services at AntFarm, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “We empower youth and families to breathe freely, live strong and healthy lives while building a future without tobacco or vaping through bringing awareness and education to our communities,” she said. 

Quitting tobacco makes a difference – and quitting is different for everyone. That’s why there are a variety of free options across Oregon. 

• You can get free counseling with a coach by visiting the Oregon Tobacco Quitline, or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or texting “READY” to 34191.
• You can visit a pharmacist near you who will work with you to build a personalized treatment plan and provide follow up to see how the treatment plan is working.
• You can also learn how to quit in your own way, with or without the help of a coach or pharmacist, by visiting this

Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.  

For more information about tobacco prevention visit the OHA website. 

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Oregon?completes Post-pandemic?Medicaid Renewals; 83% Maintained Benefits -04/10/25

Oregon completes post-pandemic Medicaid renewals; 83% maintained benefits  

Board Of Direct Entry Midwifery Seeks Rules Advisory Committee Members -04/04/25

April 4, 2025

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Board of Direct Entry Midwifery seeks rules advisory committee members

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority’s Health Licensing Office and Board of Direct Entry Midwifery are seeking individuals to serve on a rules advisory committee (RAC) that reviews the Legend Drugs and Devices Program.

The purpose of the rulemaking is to develop draft rule recommendations for the Board related to standardized competencies, assessment examinations and applications requirements for the purchase and administration of legend drugs and devices used by licensed direct entry midwives. Rule recommendations will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and recommend changes to the standardized competencies.
• Integrate passage of the written and skills examination into the application requirements.
• Develop examination requirements: proctor, location.

In addition to providing recommendations, the RAC will evaluate the impact the rules may have on individuals and communities likely to be affected by the changes.

RAC members provide a unique perspective, subject matter expertise and lived experience in direct entry midwifery, community birth services and consumer safety in the purchase and administration of legend drugs and devices.

The Board recommended following individuals or communities be represented on the rules advisory committee:

• Licensed direct entry midwives.
• Midwifery educators or instructors.
• Health care providers with knowledge of drugs and devices used by licensed direct entry midwives.
• Professional midwifery organizations.
• Consumers of community birth.

Members can serve in multiple membership capacities.

RAC meetings are expected to begin in July 2025 and end in September 2025. Those interested in serving on the RAC should submit a completed interest form to josh.page@oha.oregon.gov no later than noon May 15. Forms can be sent by email to josh.page@oha.oregon.gov or mailed to the address listed below c/o Josh Page.

If you have questions, contact Samie Patnode at samie.patnode@oha.oregon.gov or 503-373-1917, or Josh Page at josh.page@oha.oregon.gov or 503-934-0720.

For additional information, visit the Health Licensing Office website.

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Impact Of Federal Grant Cuts On OHA Programs And Oregonians -03/27/25

March 27, 2025

Media contact: Larry Bingham: Larry.Bingham@oha.oregon.gov; 971-239-6499

Impact of federal grant cuts on OHA programs and Oregonians

PORTLAND, Ore.--The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), abruptly terminated roughly $117 million in COVID-era grants and funding for Oregon Health Authority programs, an impact that will be felt immediately in all nine federally recognized Tribal communities and in every county in Oregon.

The sudden loss of the funding, a year or more before some of the grants were scheduled to end, included, among other things:

• Five grants in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division that helped establish the 988 crisis line and were planned to fill critical gaps in community substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery services, especially for communities of color, young adults, and veterans.
• A grant that established an Equity Office in OHA’s Public Health Division and provided technical assistance and training to rural health care providers, Tribes, Local Public Health Departments and community-based organizations on how to improve health in communities experiencing health inequities.
• Multiple immunization-related grants in OHA's Public Health Division to support vaccine-preventable disease work, including funding for clinics in local and Tribal communities where COVID-19 and other vaccines are offered, training to keep health care providers up to date, education for community partners on the importance of immunizations, help desk support for health care providers and the general public, information materials in multiple languages to meet specific community needs.
• Multiple grants in OHA’s Public Health Division that supported adding laboratory capacity, modernizing data systems, increased surveillance, testing and response to communicable diseases caused by respiratory viruses.

OHA officials earlier today notified local public health authorities, the nine federally recognized Tribes and community-based organizations and partners who receive the funds that the grants have ended. OHA will continue to engage in a full evaluation of the impacts of these terminations, including whether they are legal, and remains committed to improving the lifelong health of all people in Oregon.

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Aid-in-dying Deaths Drop While Prescriptions Increase, OHA Report Shows -03/27/25

March 27, 2025

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Aid-in-dying deaths drop while prescriptions increase, OHA report shows

Death with Dignity Act participant characteristics consistent with previous years

PORTLAND, Ore. — Prescriptions for life-ending medications under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) increased between 2023 and 2024, while the number of deaths went down, according to new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data.

According to OHA’s 27^th annual report on the DWDA, the number of prescriptions written for lethal medications increased 8.2%, from 561 to 607; deaths from ingestion of lethal doses of DWDA medications dropped about 2.6%, from 386 to 376.

The 2024 data represent a significant change from 2023, when prescriptions increased about 29%, driven largely by a 2023 amendment to the DWDA that removed the state residency requirement. Deaths from ingesting the lethal medications increased that year by about 20%.

In 2024, 23 prescription recipients (4%) lived outside of Oregon, a slight decrease from 29 (5%) in 2023.

“What we’re seeing is, perhaps, a cooling of the heightened interest and participation in the DWDA that occurred when patients were no longer required to be Oregon residents to receive medical aid in dying,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H.., deputy state health officer and epidemiologist.

He added that OHA has not seen any dramatic shifts in demographics of people who participate in the DWDA, noting that “characteristics of participants have remained generally consistent with previous years.”

Despite the increase in DWDA patients during 2023, the report’s findings are similar to those of previous years. The number of physician-assisted deaths remains a small percentage of the estimated 44,000 annual deaths in Oregon.

As in prior reports, participants were more likely to be 65 or older (83%) and white (92%). The most common health diagnosis among participants was cancer (57%), followed by neurological disease (15%) and heart disease (11%).

In 2024, OHA made no referrals of prescribing physicians to the Oregon Medical Board for failure to comply with DWDA reporting requirements.

Other findings for 2024 include:

• Prescriptions for lethal doses of medication were written by 135 different physicians. 
• Just over half of patients were male (53%).
• Just under half had a bachelor’s degree or higher (45%).
• Most patients died at home (83%), and most were enrolled in hospice care (92%).
• Excluding unknown cases, all patients had some form of health insurance. The percentage of patients with private insurance increased slightly from 2023 (from 21% to 23%), while patients with Medicare or Medicaid insurance saw a slight decrease (from 79% to 77%).
• As in previous years, the three most frequently reported end‐of‐life concerns were loss of autonomy (89%), decreasing ability to participate in activities that made life enjoyable (88%), and loss of dignity (64%).

OHA is legally required to collect information on compliance with the Death with Dignity Act and to make that information available on a yearly basis.

The full report is available on OHA’s Death with Dignity Act webpage.  

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The Joint Commission Identifies Threat To Patient Health And Safety At Oregon State Hospital -03/26/25

March 26, 2024

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge
amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov
503-931-9586

The Joint Commission identifies threat to patient health and safety at Oregon State Hospital

(Salem, OR)_ The Joint Commission (TJC) notified Oregon State Hospital (OSH) today that it has identified a serious threat to patient health and safety at the hospital based on findings during a survey that took place March 24-25 on the Salem campus, in response to a sentinel event. The surveyor observed unit activity, reviewed video footage and documentation (including clinical documentation, policies, training records, and more), and conducted staff interviews.

The survey identified conditions that TJC believes could pose a serious threat to patient health and safety in three areas:

• providing a safe environment for patients in seclusion
• patient assessment during seclusion and following a fall
• emergency medical response, including immediacy of response and emergency communication procedures.

OSH leadership has prioritized the TJC findings and assigned workgroup leads for each of the deficiencies. Those individuals have started building their teams to develop immediate remediation plans. OSH leadership has also reached out to union leaders to make sure represented staff who know the work well are included on those teams. OSH took immediate actions to activate an existing plan to create a seclusion response team and is already seeing positive results.

TJC will conduct a follow-up survey no later than Thursday, April 17 to validate whether or not OSH has remediated the threats identified in the survey.

If successful, TJC will reaffirm OSH’s accreditation status and conduct at least one follow-up survey to assess OSH’s sustained implementation of its corrective actions.

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New OHA Data Show Progress In Fighting Health Care-associated Infections In Oregon Hospitals -03/25/25

March 25, 2025  

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov  

New OHA data show progress in fighting health care-associated infections in Oregon hospitals

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon hospitals recorded a slight decrease in health care-associated infections (HAIs) among hospitalized patients in 2023 and met federally established reduction goals in various infection categories, according to newly published Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data.

The new data, published by the Healthcare-Associated Infections Program within  OHA’s Public Health Division, showed some improvement in reducing infections acquired in hospitals between 2022 and 2023; however, more work needs to be done to reach national reduction targets across all categories.

Among the largest reductions were seen in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) in hospitals, which met federal reduction standards for acute care hospitals in 2023.

Oregon acute care hospitals also showed progress with central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (MRSA BSI).

Oregon critical access hospitals did show a large increase in CLABSI’s and a moderate increase in MRSA BSIs. The large increase in CLABSI’s is attributed to four separate critical access hospitals reporting events in 2023, compared to just one in 2022.

“While progress has been identified in some areas, data show that patients in Oregon are still acquiring HAIs in greater numbers than the national average for many types of infections,” said Dat Tran, M.D., HAI Program medical director. “We remain committed to supporting health care facilities in Oregon to enhance infection control and prevent HAIs.”

The dashboard contains HAI data for 61 individual hospitals in Oregon. It provides statewide summaries and facility-specific data of Oregon hospital performance on nine HAI metrics, with comparable national benchmarks.

OHA works to prevent infections because of the significant risk to patient safety. On a given day, one in every 31 patients in U.S. hospitals will get an infection in a hospital or health care setting.

In 2023, Oregon hospitals reported 975 such injuries.

OHA monitors state and regional trends and supports statewide efforts to reduce HAIs by:

• Conducting studies to assess and understand current trends.
• Providing one-on-one infection control technical assistance to statewide health care facilities to support them in meeting targets.
• Collaborating with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer direct-to-provider infection control education to ensure all health care staff have the tools to prevent health care-associated infections.

Health care providers work diligently to control these infections in the interest of patient safety.

There also are infection prevention strategies that families, friends and the public visiting these settings can follow. Visitors to health care settings should frequently wash their hands, look for worsening signs and symptoms of infection, and notify providers of these signs and symptoms.

Visitors should follow facility infection prevention policies and procedures. Most importantly, visitors should avoid visiting a facility if they are sick. 

Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan.  

 Learn more about how OHA is working to foster health families and communities on our website.  

Click here to learn more about OHA’s HAI program, the impacts of infection and prevention steps. 

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Unexpected Patient Death At Oregon State Hospital -03/19/25

March 19, 2025 

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge 
amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov 
503-931-9586 

Unexpected patient death at Oregon State Hospital 

Salem, Ore_ There was an unexpected patient death at the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) Salem campus on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Family have been notified. Oregon State Police are investigating. 

Hospital leadership have also informed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), The Joint Commission (TJC) and Office of Training, Investigations and Safety (OTIS). 

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OHA Urges People To Check Immunity Against Measles; Get Vaccinated -03/18/25

March 18, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA urges people to check immunity against measles; get vaccinated

As cases appear in other states, including neighboring California, Oregon health officials recommend measures to stay safe

PORTLAND, Ore._ With spring break and summer travel season approaching, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) encourages people to make sure they are protected against measles. Getting the MMR vaccine — for measles, mumps and rubella — is the most effective prevention tool against the highly contagious virus. 

Twelve U.S. states, including California, Texas and New Mexico, have reported cases of measles since Jan 1. While Oregon has no cases so far in 2025, last year the state recorded 31 confirmed cases — its highest measles count in more than 30 years — during an outbreak among unvaccinated people, including two children younger than 5. 

“Measles is an amazingly contagious virus that unfortunately in recent years has re-emerged in our communities, primarily due to a declining percentage of people who are getting vaccinated,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. 

“Measles is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection for individuals who haven’t received immunity through the MMR vaccine,” said Dawn Nolt, M.D., M.P.H., professor of pediatrics (infectious diseases) in the OHSU School of Medicine.

“The good news is that we have a highly safe and effective vaccine – it is our strongest line of defense and the best way to keep yourself, your children and your community safe. If you have questions about the vaccine, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns.” she said.

Cieslak said anyone planning travel to countries or states where measles is circulating should get the MMR vaccine before they go. “Getting the vaccine now will allow you to start building immunity prior to your trip,” he said.  

Cieslak addresses common questions about measles, symptoms, the vaccine and more in this week’s Oregon Health News newsletter, published Thursday. 

Symptoms

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. 

Symptoms begin seven to 10 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. 

About 20% of people who contract measles are hospitalized. In developed countries in recent years, one or two of every 1,000 measles cases have been fatal.  

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs, sneezes, or even breathes. People who are infected can be unknowingly contagious for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. 

That means someone with measles can be unaware they are infected and can easily spread the virus before noticing any symptoms. 

During the 2024 outbreak in Oregon, OHA worked with local public health officials to share information about specific locations where known measles cases had spent time so that members of the public were aware they may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. 

What families of school-age children should know

In addition to reducing risk of transmission, getting the vaccine can help families avoid having to isolate at home for several weeks if they are exposed to measles. 

Additionally, state law requires an unvaccinated child exposed to the virus to be excluded from school or childcare during the period when they could become sick, which is usually for 21 days after exposure. 

This exclusion period can be extended if there are more measles cases. 

What people born before 1957 should know

People born before 1957 do not need to be vaccinated against measles—they are presumed to be immune. 

That’s because, before the measles vaccine was first available to the public in 1963, virtually all children would contract measles by their teenage years, making them immune for life. 

What people born in 1957 or later should know

People born in 1957 or later, however, could still benefit from the vaccine because they would have been at least 6 years old in 1963. At that age, there was still a meaningful chance they hadn’t been exposed to measles yet and could benefit from the new vaccine. 

People who can document receiving the measles vaccine series at some point in their lives or have documentation showing a previous measles diagnosis or laboratory evidence of immunity can be confident they are immune and do not need to receive the MMR vaccine.  

What anyone traveling should know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following measles prevention measures for anyone traveling, especially internationally:  

• Babies ages 6 through 11 months can receive an early dose of the vaccine to protect them for travel; but they should then receive another dose at 12 through 15 months and a final dose between ages 4 and 6.
• Children older than a year who have not been vaccinated should immediately receive one dose and follow with a second dose at least 28 days later.
• Children older than a year with one prior dose should receive an early second dose of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
• Teenagers and adults previously vaccinated with one dose should consider getting a second dose if they are traveling to an area where measles is circulating.
• People preparing to travel internationally who have not been immunized should get the vaccine prior to departure. 

More CDC recommendations can be found here. 

In recent years, OHA has bolstered its tracking of communicable diseases, such as measles, with the development and modernization of data reporting tools, including an interactive, web-based dashboard that visualizes data on communicable disease incidence in Oregon. The dashboard’s data are disease, month, demographic group and county. 

Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. 

The plan further supports expanding access to vaccines and other health resources for children, parents and families in all communities in Oregon.  

To learn more about measles and to receive daily status updates of measles outbreak data, visit OHA’s Measles and Rubeola web page. 

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