Marion Count health officials say tests confirm a Salem individual doesn’t have measles. The county received notification of a suspected measles case. A sample was sent to the Oregon State Public Health Lab. Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and are protected.
Anyone who has never been vaccinated is at higher risk of getting measles. Patients with measles symptoms should phone their health care provider in advance to arrange to be seen where other patients will not be exposed. 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 the county health department. For more information on measles for the public, please visit either the OHA or Marion County measles webpage or call Marion County Health & Human Services – Public Health 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:
1. You were born before 1957.
2. Your physician has diagnosed you with measles.
3. 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).
