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@OHAOregon
March 22, 2019
Media contacts
Delia Hernandez, Oregon Health Authority, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us
Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, Multnomah County, 503-709-9858, julie.sullivan-springhetti@multco.us
Tim Heider, Clackamas County, 503-742-5911, theider@clackamas.us
Katrina Rothenberger, Marion County, 503-588-5621, krothenberger@co.marion.or.us
Health officials report two new cases of measles from Marion County exposure
A Multnomah County and a Clackamas County resident have been diagnosed with the measles.
The two cases stem from an outbreak that began in Marion County, where two people have tested positive for measles. This outbreak is unrelated to a large outbreak that began in Clark County, Wash., in January.
The Clackamas County resident had previously visited a Salem missionary training school, Youth With a Mission, during the same time as an Illinois resident who was contagious with measles.
“The spread of this disease in Oregon is a sobering reminder of how this virus can travel,” said Ann Thomas, MD, public health physician at OHA. “So, if you haven’t already, make sure all adults and children in your household are up-to-date on vaccines.”
Exposures
The Oregon residents visited the following locations while contagious with measles:
Find a complete list of all Oregon public exposures on the OHA website at healthoregon.org/measles.
Who to call
Public health officials urge people not to arrive unannounced at a medical office, if:
First, call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.
People with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their county health department.
About measles
Measles poses the highest risk to unvaccinated pregnant women, infants under 12 months of age, and people with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms of measles start with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection, and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.
After someone contracts measles, illness develops in about two weeks, but people can be contagious up to four days before they get a rash.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles as soon as they feel sick until up to four days after the rash starts. The virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.
You are considered immune to measles if ANY of the following apply:
The measles vaccine, known as MMR, is safe and very effective. Almost everyone with two MMR vaccines has long-term protection against measles.
For more information on measles for the public, please visit the OHA measles webpage or see answers to common questions about measles in English and other languages here: Winter 2019 Measles Outbreak: Frequently Asked Questions.
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