Salem, OR – The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has confirmed a case of measles in a resident of Marion County. The case is linked to a traveler who recently visited Marion County. The case is unrelated to the measles outbreak in Clark County, Washington, and unrelated to a measles case in Multnomah County.
Marion County health officials are monitoring an additional suspect case with lab tests pending.
The county is working with the Oregon Health Authority to notify individuals of their potential exposure and help them take steps to prevent exposing others should they become ill.
Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and their risk is low. Risk may be higher for unvaccinated persons who may have been exposed at one of these locations during these times only (please note the updated exposure window for Youth With a Mission):
- Youth With a Mission, 7085 Battle Creek Road SE, Salem, Feb. 18, 7 a.m. through March 11, 5 p.m.
- Get Air Trampoline Park, 3910 Rickey St. SE, Salem, Feb. 21, 1:45-5 p.m.
- Red Robin, 831 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, Feb. 21, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
- Portland International Airport: Southwest Airlines check-in area and Concourse C, Feb. 22, 12:30–5 p.m.
Find a complete list of Oregon exposure sites at the OHA measles webpage.
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.
Marion County has established a call center for general questions related to this measles case. Anyone who has questions about public exposures should call (503) 588-5621. The call center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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 Marion County Health & Human Services at (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).
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