More measles cases confirmed in Marion County

SALEM – Public Health officials have confirmed six cases of measles in Marion County since June 17.

The most recent cases were announced on July 19 when one adult and one child, both unvaccinated, were diagnosed. Those followed one on July 16 involving an unvaccinated child. There was also an unvaccinated child diagnosed on July 11 and one on July 12 along with the initial one on June 17.

There are currently no known public exposures and no apparent connection between the cases other than they were all in Marion County.

Marion County Public Health officials have been tracking down and contacting people who may have been exposed. Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is so contagious, that if one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people in close contact will become infected if they are not protected through vaccination.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Complications from measles can be severe and include ear infections, pneumonia, and in rare instances, swelling of the brain.

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.

Health officials said most people have received the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as children and have a low risk of getting measles. The risk is much higher for unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to the disease.

Individuals are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply: born before 1957; have been diagnosed with measles at any point in their life; a blood test proves that they are immune; they have had two doses of measles vaccine.

Anyone who believes they have measles or have been exposed to it should not visit a medical office without calling ahead. This is to prevent the spreading. Instead people should call their provider or urgent care center to provide a plan for your visit.

For information, visit www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx .