December 2, 2024

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

Recreational use advisory issued for South Tenmile Lake Dec. 2

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a recreational use health advisory today for South Tenmile Lake due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom and microcystins above recreational use values for human and animal exposure. The lake is in Coos County.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit South Tenmile Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the reservoir affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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November 27, 2024

Media contacts: Tim Heider, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Keep holiday healthy with proper kitchen hygiene

Prevent germs with four easy steps

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is encouraging holiday cooks to keep their families, friends and Thanksgiving guests safe from foodborne germs by practicing four simple steps to food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill.

The recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge people to always keep hands and surfaces clean; avoid cross-contamination between foods; cook foods to the right temperature; and refrigerate leftovers.

The bottom line, said Emilio DeBess, D.V.M., state public health veterinarian and foodborne illness expert at OHA’s Public Health Division, is this: By taking a few steps and planning ahead, you can help keep the holiday season merry and bright.

“Foodborne infections from bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens can ruin a holiday gathering, especially if there’s an outbreak. But they are entirely preventable,” DeBess said. “In particular, leaving meat-based foods sitting out for several hours is a classic cause of C. perfringens outbreaks.”

Turkey and roast beef are common sources of Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can spread to other foods from unwashed hands and contaminated kitchen surfaces. In addition, according to CDC, Clostridium perfringens food poisoning results from eating improperly cooked and stored foods—for example, if the food sits out for an extended length of time before refrigerating. 

The three bacteria share two symptoms: diarrhea and stomach cramps, with symptom onset beginning between several hours (Clostridium) and several days after infection. Salmonella infection can also cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, and Campylobacter can also cause fever, nausea and vomiting.

To prevent contamination from these bacteria during holiday meal preparation take the following steps, according to DeBess and CDC:

Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

• Wash your hands at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during and after preparing food, and before eating. Always wash hands after handling uncooked meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, flour, or eggs.
• Wash utensils, cutting boards and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item.
• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water.

Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

• When grocery shopping, keep raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices away from other foods.
• Keep raw or marinating meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the bottom of the refrigerator; store raw meat, poultry, and seafood in sealed containers or wrap them securely so the juices don't leak onto other foods.
• Use one cutting board or plate for raw meat, poultry, and seafood and a separate cutting board or plate for produce, bread, and other foods that won't be cooked.
• Washing raw chicken, which is ready to cook and doesn’t need washing first, can spread germs to other foods, the sink and the counter, and can make you sick.

Cook to the right temperature

• The only way to tell if food is safely cooked to a temperature that kills germs is to use a food thermometer.
  • All poultry, including ground chicken and turkey, should be cooked to 165°F.
  • Whole cuts of beef, veal, lamb, and pork, including fresh ham, should be cooked to 145°F. (Allow the meat to rest for 3 minutes before carving or eating).
  • Fish with fins should be cooked to 145°F, or cook until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork.
  • Ground meats, such as beef and pork, should be cooked to 160°F.
  • Leftovers and casseroles should be cooked to 165°F.
  • Check this chart for an even more detailed list of temperatures and foods, including shellfish and precooked ham.

Chill: Refrigerate promptly

• Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
• Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F or below, and know when to throw food out before it spoils. If your refrigerator doesn't have a built-in thermometer, keep an appliance thermometer inside it to check the temperature.
• Package warm or hot food in several clean, shallow containers and then refrigerate—it is OK to put small portions of hot food in the refrigerator since they will chill faster.
• If the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, like sitting in a hot car or at a picnic, refrigerate it within 1 hour.
• Thaw frozen food safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave – never thaw food on the counter because bacteria multiply quickly in the parts of the food that reach room temperature.

For more information, visit “Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely” and “About Four Steps to Food Safety”.

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November 25, 2024

Media contacts: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Fees for online, phone-ordered vital records to increase Jan. 1

Additional $4.25 in fees will be charged for orders placed through VitalChek; fees for records ordered in person, by mail or by using drop box won’t go up

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Center for Health Statistics at Oregon Health Authority is raising fees on orders for certified copies of vital records placed online and by phone. The $4.25 fee increases go into effect Jan. 1.

The Center for Health Statistics — also known as Oregon Vital Records and based at OHA’s Public Health Division — contracts with VitalChek to take and review orders for certified copies of vital records placed online and over the phone. VitalChek processes the credit payments, provides identity authentication services, and reviews order to ensure customer are eligible to receive vital records as required by law.

Jennifer Woodward, Ph.D., state registrar and Center for Health Statistics manager, said VitalChek has not increased these fees since 2013.

“The fee adjustment will help cover increasing business costs that all businesses have seen nationwide,” she said. “The increased fees will provide VitalChek the resources needed to service that higher volume and continue to provide good customer service.”

Starting Jan. 1, the total fee for using a credit card over the phone will increase from $44.95 to $49.20; the total cost for online orders increases from $43.25 to $47.50. The costs for both options include VitalChek’s basic credit card processing fee, which is $13.20 for phone orders and $11.50 for online orders; $4 for VitalChek’s instant authentication service; $25 for a certificate; and $7 for expedited delivery. 

The online and phone ordering services fees charged by VitalChek only go to VitalChek. None of the fees, or the $4.25 fee increase, are directed to the Center for Health Statistics. The vital records fees that are charged for certificates and for expedite processing of orders are not changing.

For its fees, VitalChek provides the following services to its customers:

• Call center services 24/7 to take phone orders for certificates.
• Website for online orders for certificates at VitalChek.com.
• Credit card processing and automatic refunds if needed.
• Initial review of orders to make sure orders are complete.
• Initial eligibility review to make sure customers are eligible to receive a vital record under Oregon law.
• Identity authentication quiz (Instant Authenticate) to confirm identity of customer as required under Oregon law.
• Follow up with customers if additional information is missing.
• Review of all documents before sending orders to the Center for Health Statistics for final review and processing.

Those needing vital records have other options that don’t require paying the extra online or phone ordering fees. They include ordering in person at the Portland State Office Building (PSOB) in Northeast Portland, by mail, or by using the drop box at PSOB. The address for PSOB is 800 NE Oregon St., Portland, 97232.

Visit www.HealthOregon.org/chs to learn more about the fees for the various ways to order a vital record through the state vital records office.

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November 22, 2024

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

Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Seeks Proposals for State-Based Marketplace Vendor

The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace announces a new request for proposals (RFP) for a state-based marketplace vendor. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and user experience of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, ensuring that Oregonians have seamless access to affordable, quality health coverage. 

About the project

Senate Bill 972 (2023) requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to transition the Marketplace from a state-based marketplace using the federal platform (SBM-FP) to a SBM using its own technology in time for open enrollment for plan year 2027. Specifically, OHA is required to procure and administer both an information technology platform and call center, to replace the federal platform and call center, and provide electronic access to the health insurance exchange in this state by November 1, 2026. 

About the RFP

The RFP invites qualified vendors with a proven track record in developing and managing health insurance marketplaces to submit comprehensive proposals. The ideal vendor will demonstrate expertise in creating user-friendly platforms, integrating advanced technology solutions, and providing robust customer support services. This move is part of Oregon’s ongoing commitment to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for all its residents.

The previous request for proposals, released in July 2024, has been cancelled and a new request has been issued.

Interested vendors can access the full RFP document on OregonBuys, the state procurement website. Proposals must be submitted by December 30, 2024. For more information, please visit OregonBuys.gov. 

About the Marketplace

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. 

22 de noviembre de 2024

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

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon busca propuestas para proveedores del mercado estatal

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon anuncia una solicitud de propuestas (RFP, por sus siglas en inglés) para un proveedor del mercado con sede en el estado. Esta iniciativa tiene como objetivo mejorar la eficiencia, la accesibilidad y la experiencia del usuario del Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon, garantizando que los habitantes de Oregon tengan acceso sin inconvenientes a una cobertura médica asequible y de calidad. 

Sobre el Proyecto

El Proyecto de Ley del Senado 972 (2023) requiere que la Oregon Health Authority (OHA, por sus siglas en inglés) haga la transición del Mercado de un Mercado estatal que utiliza la plataforma federal (SBM-FP) a un Mercado estatal (SBM, por sus siglas en inglés) que utiliza su propia tecnología a tiempo para la inscripción abierta para el año del plan 2027. Específicamente, se requiere que la OHA adquiera y administre una plataforma o servicio de tecnología de la información y un centro de llamadas, separado de la plataforma federal y el centro de llamadas, para proporcionar acceso electrónico al intercambio de seguros de salud en este estado antes del 1 de noviembre de 2026.  

Acerca de la convocatoria de propuestas (RFP)

La convocatoria invita a los proveedores calificados con una trayectoria comprobada en el desarrollo y la gestión de mercados de seguros de salud a presentar propuestas integrales. El proveedor ideal demostrará experiencia en la creación de plataformas fáciles de usar, la integración de soluciones tecnológicas avanzadas y la prestación de servicios sólidos de atención al cliente. Esta iniciativa forma parte del compromiso continuo de Oregon de mejorar la accesibilidad y la asequibilidad de la atención médica para todos sus habitantes. 

La solicitud de propuestas anterior, publicada en julio de 2024, ha sido canceló y se emitido una nueva solicitud.

Los proveedores interesados ​​pueden acceder al documento completo de la convocatoria en OregonBuys, el sitio web de contratación del estado. Las propuestas deben presentarse antes del 30 de diciembre de 2024. Para obtener más información, visite OregonBuys.gov. 

Acerca del Mercado

El Mercado de Seguros Médicos de Oregon, que forma parte del gobierno estatal, ayuda a las personas a obtener un seguro médico cuando no tienen cobertura basada en el empleo y no califican para el Plan de Salud de Oregon u otro programa. El Mercado es el socio a nivel estatal de CuidadoDeSalud.gov. Para obtener más información, visite CuidadoDeSalud.Oregon.gov.

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Note to editors and reporters: Rethink the Drink campaign visuals and supporting documents can be downloaded at this Dropbox link.  

November 21, 2024 

Media contacts:  

• Jonathan Modie, OHA, phd.communications@oha.oregon.gov
• Stephanie Condon, ADPC, stephanie.condon@oha.oregon.gov
• Matthew Van Sickle, OLCC, matt.vansickle@olcc.oregon.gov
• Mindy McCartt, ODOT, mindy.m.mccartt@odot.oregon.gov 

Agencies unite to urge people to ‘Rethink the Drink’ during holidays

Fall ad campaign encourages conversations about alcohol, how people can keep Oregon communities safe from excessive use

PORTLAND, Ore.—Four state agencies are teaming up this holiday season to support the Rethink the Drink winter advertising campaign that encourages people in Oregon to celebrate safely by understanding the health and social harms of excessive alcohol use. 

Officials at the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Health Authority hope the tools provided by the campaign help people reduce the pressure to drink alcohol during family gatherings or holiday parties. 

“In these environments, it’s easy to drink more than you normally might,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at OHA. “We can all support one another to drink less, and that includes having healthy and honest conversations about our alcohol use.”  

Each year, more than 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, violence and vehicle crashes. Excessive alcohol use is the third leading cause of preventable death in Oregon.  

“The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to show support for loved ones who are working to avoid excessive alcohol use,” said ADPC Director Annaliese Dolph. “It is a great time to encourage healthy choices. The journey to wellness requires rethinking our relationships with different substances, and it requires the love and support of our communities.” 

Holiday events and binge drinking sometimes go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and other dangerous behavior. Binge drinking impairs judgment, slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions.  

“Preventing impaired driving is a shared responsibility, and each of us can do our part to make sure our celebrations don’t put others at risk,” said Ryan Stone, Impaired Driving Program manager for ODOT’s Transportation Safety Office. “By planning ahead—whether that’s designating a sober driver, arranging a rideshare, using public transportation, or supporting friends who choose to drink to get home safely—we can help keep our roads safe. Let’s make this season one of joy and safety for all.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of excessive drinking includes both heavy drinking and binge drinking:  

• Binge drinking is when a man has five or more standard drinks in one setting or occasion. For a woman, it’s four or more drinks.
• Heavy drinking, the kind that can harm your health in the long term, is 15 drinks or more a week for a man. For a woman, it’s eight or more drinks.   

Binge drinking is the most common and costly form of excessive drinking, and it’s not just an issue for young people: people in their 30s and 40s binge drink at close to the same rates as younger people. But there are many things people can do this time of year to support friends and family to drink less.

“Not everyone drinks alcohol and not all drinkers want to drink only alcohol, so it’s good to have alternatives,” said Craig Prins, OLCC’s executive director. “If you’re hosting an event this holiday season, offer non-alcoholic beverage options and be sure to have food available for guests.”

In addition to offering non-alcoholic options during holiday events and encouraging people to arrange for a designated driver, rideshare or taxi, there are other ways people can keep themselves and others from drinking too much this holiday season:  

• Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.
• Drink plenty of water and eat food while drinking alcohol.
• Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage, or watering down a drink with ice or a low-sugar mixer.
• If you’re planning to drink, set a limit for that event.
• Count drinks when at an event or out with friends. Use an app to track drink consumption.

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 1-800-923-435. 

Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission

The Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) is an independent state agency created by the Oregon Legislature to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state and local substance use disorder (SUD) prevention, treatment and recovery services for all Oregonians. For more information, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/adpc/pages/index.aspx. 

Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) oversees access to alcohol and cannabis products in Oregon through education, regulation and distilled spirits distribution. Its aim is to protect public health and safety while supporting responsible businesses and providing funding for local and state agencies. 

Oregon Department of Transportation

The Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) mission is to provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and supports Oregon's communities and economy. A key component of this mission is the Transportation Safety Office (TSO), which is dedicated to improving the safety of all roadway users and all modes of travel in Oregon through education and outreach.

Rethink the Drink

Rethink the Drink is an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) initiative to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in people’s lives and communities. This initiative emphasizes health equity, noting that Black and American Indian communities, and those with lower incomes or education, face higher rates of alcohol-related harms due to systemic inequities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal of ending health inequities in Oregon by 2030. 

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November 20, 2024 

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov  

New data shows Behavioral Health Resource Networks are reaching more clients as Measure 110 changes begin to take effect 

SALEM, Ore.— Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BHRNs) across the state continue to connect more substance users with services and treatment, according to the most recent quarterly report that ended June 30, 2024.

The newly reported data were collected after legislative reforms to Measure 110 were passed but have yet to be fully implemented. 

“BHRNs are helping Oregonians engage and stay in treatment,” said Measure 110 Executive Director Abbey Stamp. “Following legislative changes to Measure 110, it’s encouraging to see that providers, law enforcement and the communities are continuing to connect more substance users to care.”

Stamp started her role as the state’s Measure 110 program director October 15.  

Measure 110 established and funds BHRNs. The networks provide substance use disorder services in seven specified areas regardless of a client's ability to pay. There are BHRNs in all 36 Oregon counties, and more than one in some counties. 

The Oversight and Accountability Council, which governs Measure 110 funding, is presently considering a new round of grant applications for services that will begin on July 1, 2025.  

Each BHRN is responsive to its community’s needs by providing screening, assessments, treatment, peer support services, harm reduction, housing, and supported employment. 

The latest quarterly data shows several notable and evolving trends: 

• Since the establishment of BHRNs, client contact has increased steadily. Overall client encounters over the most recent quarter grew from 248,651 to 299,662 – a 20 percent increase.
• Supported employment, peer services and housing supports have more than tripled in the 21 months of operation.
• In the most recent quarter, capital expenditures have dropped to 10 percent compared to almost 50 percent during the first quarterly review period, from July through September 2022. The steady evolution from capital costs to service expenditures shows BHRN infrastructure is firmly established, and substance use disorder services continue to increase.

BHRN provider feedback showed the needs of communities across the state and endorsed the value of Measure 110 investments: 

• “We have seen many successes with our BHRN funding. Client outcomes are improving through the removal of barriers. Housing stability and employment services are the two main areas where we really see barrier removal making an impact. With fewer setbacks, individuals are able to focus on their treatment and make progress.”
• “The recruitment for hiring more community-based peer specialists has been challenging due to the high level of need in the community and staffing shortages. With the new employees, we once again work towards onboarding and stabilizing.”

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) maintains a comprehensive online dashboard that includes quarterly data, expenditures, key demographic information, and aggregated narrative summaries for the 42 service networks statewide.  

The dashboard contains a new feature summarizing community engagement work, a key component of Measure 110’s strategic data plan.

The work included collecting feedback from culturally specific providers to better understand their programs and how to improve evaluation measures.   

To learn more, visit OHA’s Measure 110 webpage.  

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November 20, 2024

Contact: Amy Bacher, amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon Health Plan members, providers, advocates encouraged to share experiences at virtual town hall

Portland, Ore. – The Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) will host a virtual town hall Dec. 3 to hear about Oregon Health Plan (OHP) member successes, challenges and experiences with coordinated care organizations (CCOs). Stories shared at the town hall will inform the board’s recommendations about the CCO model to Oregon Health Authority and the Governor’s office.

OHPB is looking for stories from health care providers, caregivers, community-based organizations (CBOs) and OHP members. They are particularly interested to know more about CCO efforts regarding health care for children, care that goes beyond medical appointments to support social and environmental development (such as information about, or access to, air conditioning or housing programs), or behavioral health referrals or partnerships.

The town hall will take place online Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. People who wish to share during the meeting should register no later than 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 2. Anyone who wishes to share their experiences will have approximately three to five minutes to speak; timeframes may need be updated if there is an overwhelming number of participants. There will also be time at the January 7 OHPB meeting to provide feedback.

Stories can also be shared in writing only. Written submissions will be compiled and shared with OHPB members, then posted to the web site. People do not need to be present during the town hall to submit their stories via email.

OHPB will host a separate event in early 2025 for CCO staff to share their experiences. The December town hall is meant for OHP members, providers, CBOs, and members of the public.

If you have any questions or request assistance, please contact Suzanne Cross at suzanne.l.cross@oha.oregon.gov or (541) 640-2994. Additional information is available on the OHPB web site or by subscribing to OHPB updates.

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November 15, 2024

Media contacts:

• Jonathan Modie, OHA, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
• Todd Loggan, Clackamas County, PIO@clackamas.us

Oregon confirms first human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza

Affected individual linked to commercial poultry operation in Clackamas County where Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed virus in 150,000 birds

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a person linked to a previously reported outbreak affecting birds at a commercial poultry operation in Clackamas County.

Health officials are not providing additional details about the individual, naming the operation, and will not be providing specific location information to protect privacy. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission and the risk to the public is low.

“Clackamas County Public Health Division has been closely monitoring people exposed to the animal outbreak, which is how this case was identified. The individual experienced only mild illness and has fully recovered,” said Clackamas County Public Health Officer Sarah Present, M.D. The person received treatment with the antiviral medication oseltamivir, and household contacts were prescribed oseltamivir prophylaxis.

Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority (OHA), said, “We continue to remind the public that people at increased risk of infection are those who have had close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals.”

OHA epidemiologists are working closely with their counterparts at local public health authorities, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and CDC to monitor individuals exposed to animals infected with H5N1 and respond promptly if new symptoms consistent with avian influenza develop, said Sidelinger.

When an outbreak in animals occurs, ODA provides personal protective equipment and training to affected farmworkers, and public health authorities provides symptom education and monitoring.

“This has proven an extremely effective approach to avian influenza outbreaks,” Sidelinger said. “While we cannot prevent every case, we know that we are preventing many.”

To reduce the risk of HPAI, people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals, or their droppings or litter, and should not drink or eat unpasteurized or raw dairy products such as milk or cheese.

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November 14, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Pertussis case count, expected to beat record, alarms health officials

Vaccinations urged as whooping cough on track to pass 910 cases in 2024

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon is expected to surpass its record of 910 pertussis cases by the end of 2024, prompting health officials to sharpen their warnings about the disease’s serious risks—especially for young babies—and their emphasis on the importance of vaccination.

As of Nov. 13, Oregon has seen a total of 827 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, in 23 counties during 2024, according to Oregon Health Authority (OHA) data. At least one person, an older adult, has died.

In 2012, 910 pertussis cases were reported, the highest annual count since 1953.

“I’m worried, given the time of year, because people are attending indoor holiday gatherings, and those gatherings often include newborns who are too young to be vaccinated,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division.

Lane County has the highest number of pertussis cases this year with 249. The other counties with the highest case counts are Multnomah with 180, Clackamas with 109, Washington with 67 and Deschutes with 59. The median age of cases is 11, with the range between 5 weeks and 89 years.

Babies too young to be fully vaccinated suffer the most from pertussis, with the highest reported incidence rate and highest likelihood of hospitalization and death. This is because babies don’t start building protection against infection until they are vaccinated at 2 months old. With the exception of 2024, Oregon pertussis deaths have been limited to infants—five have occurred since 2003.

Public health experts urge pregnant people to get the Tdap vaccine – which protects a person against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis – at 27–36 weeks’ gestation. The mothers will make antibodies and pass them to their babies across the placenta, which lowers the risk of pertussis in babies younger than 2 months by 78%–91%.

Vaccination against pertussis is routinely recommended for infants, children, adolescents and adults. Children should receive the DTaP vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis at 2, 4, 6 and 15 to 18 months, and again at age 4 to kindergarten age. All persons 10 and older, including those 65 and older, who have not had the single-dose Tdap vaccine should get it now.

Data from January through Nov. 13 show 406 (49%) of this year’s cases had zero doses of documented pertussis vaccines, and only 361 (44%) were up to date on vaccines. Among the 75 infant cases, only 11 mothers were documented to have received the recommended dose of Tdap during pregnancy.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic—when restrictions that included masking requirements and school closures were in effect—annual case tallies routinely reached triple digits, but dropped to three in 2021. But this year’s to-date 827 cases, which represents a nearly 2,500% increase from the 32 cases reported by the same period in 2023, has surprised state and local public health officials.

“It’s concerning,” said Lisandra Guzman, M.D., Lane County’s deputy public health officer and a preventive medicine physician. “Pertussis is very contagious, and that's one of the reasons it's so hard to control.”

Another reason, Guzman explained, is that early in an infection, pertussis can be confused with respiratory viral infections. “What you think may be a simple cold can turn out to be pertussis, because that's how it begins—with a mild upper respiratory infection. After a couple weeks, the whooping cough begins.”

Jennifer Gibbons, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Portland, says 80% of her family medicine practice is pediatrics, and she can cite many examples of a pertussis infection’s devastating effects on children. She recalls seeing a 5-month-old baby whose mother explained the child would have difficulty breathing and cough until she vomited, then seem fine minutes later.

“I'm talking to her, and she has this perfectly healthy-looking 5-month-old baby, who then all of a sudden starts coughing, and her face turns dark red, and she's gasping for breath while she's trying to cough up all the secretions,” Gibbons remembers. “With pertussis, they get into these spasms of coughing that they can't stop, and they're often bringing up large amounts of mucus. It's very scary.”

Cieslak, Guzman and Gibbons agree that getting children vaccinated with all doses of DTaP, and adults—particularly pregnant people—vaccinated with Tdap is the best way to protect young children, older adults, and their families and friends during the holidays, and beyond.

“I've had multiple families say, ‘If I had known how bad this was going to be, I would have vaccinated.’ I use that to tell other families,” Gibbons says. She also reminds families that “kids tolerate this vaccine very well. I find it to be a really useful, safe and effective vaccine.”

When an infant or pregnant person is in the household of someone with pertussis, all household members should receive a course of antibiotics effective against Bordetella pertussis—typically, a five-day course of azithromycin.

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November 6, 2024

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory lifted for Eckman Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Eckman Lake in Lincoln County. OHA issued the advisory Sept. 17.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of saxitoxin in Eckman Lake is below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from these areas.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people and especially small children and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, such as swimming or high-speed water activities, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving behind the toxins released. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

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November 4, 2024

Media Contact: Amy Bacher, amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov 

OHA to begin comprehensive review of OHSU-Legacy merger

The agency will conduct further analysis and continue to seek public comment  

Portland, Ore. – The Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) program at Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today completed a preliminary review of Oregon Health and Science University’s (OHSU) proposed acquisition of Legacy Health System and will now move to comprehensive review. The preliminary review report, along with additional documents related to the transaction, can be found here. 

On Oct. 4, OHA received written notice of the proposed transaction (known as a “notice of material change transaction”) from OHSU and Legacy that describes plans for the entities to combine. OHSU is a public university health system that owns or is affiliated with three hospitals in the Portland metro area, and owns multiple medical clinics, research centers and university education programs that serve patients throughout Oregon. Legacy Health System is a nonprofit health system that owns and operates six hospitals in the Portland and Vancouver metro areas, and the mid-Willamette valley. Legacy also owns and operates 70 outpatient clinics including primary care, urgent care and specialty care clinics throughout the same regions.

HCMO was created by the Oregon legislature to review business deals involving health care entities to promote transparency, monitor the effects of health care consolidation on the public, and ensure that health care transactions in Oregon support statewide goals related to health equity, lower costs, increased access, and better quality of care.                                

During the preliminary phase, HCMO conducts a review of the proposed transaction and can decide to approve, approve with conditions, or to conduct a more comprehensive review. OHA’s preliminary analysis focused on the scale and scope of OHSU and Legacy’s operations and services in Oregon, as well as how the transaction could affect consolidation and competition in Oregon’s health care markets, access to services, health care costs, health equity and quality of care. Given the size and potential effects of the proposed transaction, HCMO made the decision to move forward with a comprehensive review.

During the comprehensive review, OHA will collect additional information about the transaction, encourage public comment, and examine the potential impacts on cost, quality, access, and equity for people in Oregon. The comprehensive review will be completed within 180 days, unless extended in accordance with the law.

OHA plans to convene a community review board for the comprehensive review of the proposed OHSU-Legacy transaction. Community review boards provide input about transactions and make a recommendation to OHA about whether the transaction should be approved. Board members can include people who live and work in affected communities, consumer advocates, health care experts and health care providers.

People interested in participating in the community review board for this transaction can email hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov. OHA staff will provide more information about the timeline, member requirement and application process.

OHA will accept and post public comments throughout the review period. Public input is crucial to help OHA understand potential impacts on the cost and quality of health care, access to services and health equity. Public comment can be provided through one of the following ways:

• Email hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov.
• Leave a voicemail at 503-945-6161.
• Fill out the public comment form.

The Oregon Legislature established HCMO in 2021, and HCMO began reviewing proposed transactions in 2022. Oregon is one of 12 states that has a program to review health-related mergers and study health care consolidation. Information about the program can be found on the HCMO web page. Subscribe to receive program updates here.

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