The Oregon Health Authority warned of a possible measles outbreak in Marion County on Friday after nine measles cases were reported since June 17.
OHA has identified three locations in Marion County where people may have been exposed to measles on Wednesday, July 17.
- Kaiser’s Wear Mart, noon to 1:20 p.m.
- Walmart in Woodburn from 1:15 to 2:35 p.m.
- Safeway in Woodburn, 2:40-3:05 p.m.
OHA said anyone who visited the stores during that time should monitor themselves closely for symptoms of measles and contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms.
Measles particles can hang in the air for up to two hours, but the further away you are from a window, especially in a large building, the less likely you are to catch the virus, said Paul Cieslak, medical director of infectious diseases and immunization for OHA’s public health division.
“The virus will be shed by ventilation over a period of time,” Cieslak said, “whereas if you have a very small room with few occupants, I would advise ventilation over a longer period of time.”
State officials said 15 cases of measles have been reported in Marion, Clackamas and Multnomah counties, including 12 confirmed and three presumptive cases, meaning symptoms are consistent with measles but the diagnosis has not been confirmed. Marion County’s ninth case was confirmed Friday.
Two people were hospitalized, OHA said.
Other cases are suspected but have not yet been confirmed.
Nine of the cases were under the age of 10, four were between the ages of 10 and 19 and two were over the age of 20. None had been vaccinated, according to OHA.
Daily updates on measles outbreaks are available at OHA’s Acute and infectious disease prevention page.
Oregon’s last outbreak was in 2019, with 28 cases, mostly in Multnomah and Clackamas counties. One case was reported in 2023. There were no cases between 2020 and 2022.
Measles is highly contagious
Public health officials said the measles virus is highly contagious and can be spread through the air even though the source is unknown.
People are contagious up to four days before symptoms appear and remain contagious for four days after they do. The long incubation period (up to 21 days) makes it difficult to track potentially infected people.
“Measles is the most contagious disease we know of,” Cieslak says, “so if you develop a rash, don’t just show up to the emergency department or your doctor’s office. Call ahead so you can be seen somewhere you won’t infect others.”
Measles cases are increasing nationwide. As of July 25th, The CDC reported There have been 188 cases in 2024 and 58 cases in all of 2023. The majority of cases this year, 84%, involved individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
For the 2022-23 school year, 97.3% of Marion County K-12 students have received the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and 96.2% have received their second dose of the measles vaccine, higher than the statewide rates of 96.3% and 95%, respectively.
Measles symptoms
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the whole body. Unvaccinated pregnant women, infants under 1 year old, and people with weakened immune systems are considered at high risk.
Public health officials said people are considered immune if they were born before 1957, have previously been diagnosed with measles, have a blood test that proves they are immune or have received two doses of the measles vaccine.
To prevent the spread of the virus, public health officials advised people who think they may have or may have been exposed to measles to stay home, avoid public places and call ahead before going to a medical facility. If anyone in your household has a fever or rash, officials recommended not inviting visitors into your home.
Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at Email: Or @isabeldfunk at X
