The Oregon Health Authority has confirmed a case of measles in a resident of Multnomah County. The agency is working with Multnomah, and other Oregon and Washington agencies to notify individuals of their potential exposure and help them take steps to prevent exposing others should they become ill.
No additional cases of measles have been identified in Oregon.
Clark County Public Health in Vancouver has reported 30 confirmed cases of measles. To follow its investigation and for a full list of exposures, visit their measles investigation page.
Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and are protected. Anyone who has never been vaccinated is at higher risk of getting measles if they come into contact with someone who is contagious in these new exposure locations:
Legacy GoHealth
22262 NE Glisan St, Gresham
Sunday, Jan. 20, 9–11:30 a.m.
Fred Meyers
22855 NE Parklane, Wood Village
Sunday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Gresham Troutdale Family Medical Center
1700 SW 257th Dr., Troutdale
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 12:30–2 p.m.
Walgreens Pharmacy
25699 SE Stark St, Troutdale
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 1–2:30 p.m.
Find a complete list of all Oregon public exposures here: https://multco.us/health-officer/measles-outbreak-winter-2019-oregon-exposures
WHOM TO CALL
Oregon public health officials urge people to avoid immediately going to a medical office, if:
- They are not immune AND
- They have been exposed AND
- They have symptoms
Instead, call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.
OHA has also established a call center for general questions related to the measles. Anyone who has questions about public exposures should dial 2-1-1. The call center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends.
Anyone with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their county health department. For more information on measles for the public, please visit the OHA measles webpage or call the public health departments in the following counties:
- Multnomah County Public Health: 503-988-3406
- Clark County Public Health: 360-397-8021
- Washington County Public Health: 503-846-3594
- Clackamas County Public Health: 503-655-8411
- Marion County Public Health Division: 503-588-5621
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 days before they know they're sick.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. The virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left.
A person is considered immune to measles if ANY of the following apply:
- You were born before 1957.
- Your physician has diagnosed you with measles.
- A blood test proves that you are immune.
- You have been fully vaccinated against measles (one dose for children 12 months through 3 years old, two doses in anyone 4 years and older).
