The Oregon Health Authority reported two cases of measles in a Clackamas County household, according to a press release.
The OHA is investigating measles cases among an unvaccinated adult and an unvaccinated child and said they were exposed in Marion County.
The adult developed a rash June 11 and was confirmed to have measles Friday, June 14. The child developed symptoms a few days after the adult.
The OHA believes the timeframe of exposure to be between May 19 and June 4 but the exact location of the exposure is unknown, which “suggests there may be other, unreported measles cases in Oregon,” according to the release. Both individuals are recovering.
“Spreading measles from one person to another is pretty easy, as it’s a highly infectious disease,” said Paul R. Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division, in the release. “That’s why it’s extremely important that all adults and children in their household be up to date on vaccinations.”
The release said that those who were at the Oregon Health & Science University Immediate Care Richmond Clinic from 4:40-5:40 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 or the OHSU Hospital Emergency Department between 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, and 7:15 p.m. Friday, June 14 may have been exposed. However, the release said risk at the emergency department location is believed to be low “because the patient was masked and airborne precautions were promptly implemented.”
Most Oregonians received measles vacciness as children and risk is much higher for those who haven’t received the vaccine, the release stated. Measles symptoms include a fever, cough or runny nose and subsequently a rash that spreads throughout the body. Other issues related to measles include ear infection, lung infection, diarrhea and, rarely, a swelling of the brain. Further, the release said that between one and two out of 1,000 measles cases in developed countries have been fatal in recent years.
“Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area,” the release stated.
Measles poses the greatest risk to unvaccinated pregnant people, infants younger than 1 year old and people with weakened immune systems. Those who were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles vaccine, have contracted measles previously or who have received a blood test proving they are immune are considered immune from the disease. The health authority urged those experiencing symptoms not to show up unannounced at a medical office.
“Individuals planning to seek medical care should first call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms,” the release stated.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 151 measles cases have been reported across the United States in 2024.
For more information about measles, visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.
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