Measles case confirmed in Multnomah County
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – State health officials say a case of the measles has been confirmed in a resident of Multnomah County, which is home to Portland.
The Oregon Health Authority said late Friday the agency is working with Multnomah and other agencies to notify people of their potential exposure and help them take steps to prevent exposing others if they become ill.
The person while contagious visited Legacy GoHealth in Gresham and Fred Meyer in Wood Village Sunday and on Wednesday visited Gresham Troutdale Family Medical Center in Troutdale and the Walgreens Pharmacy in Troutdale.
No additional cases of measles have been identified in Oregon.
Clark County Public Health in Vancouver, Washington, has reported 30 confirmed cases of measles since the beginning of the year.
Anyone who has never been vaccinated is at risk of getting measles if they come into contact with someone who is contagious.
It takes two doses of the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) series to become immune to the disease.
In Deschutes County, 88 percent of the children ages 19 months to 5 years old are vaccinated for the measles, and the number is higher, 94 percent, for students in kindergarten through the 12th grades, though it varies from one location to another.
Jill Johnson, a communicable disease nurse with Deschutes County Public Health, said Friday it’s the only way to truly protect someone from getting the disease.
“Measles is very infectious, and we need a high immunity rate to keep measles from spreading in our community should we get a case,” Johnson said. “And so we need about 94 percent of us immune to keep measles at bay.”
Johnson said people shouldn’t be “panicked” about the outbreak spreading to Central Oregon, but “should be ready to respond.”
Measles cases typically don’t show signs until 7-14 days after exposure. But patients are contagious for about four days before a rash shows, and four days after it appears. That means people could be sick and walking around without knowing they’re carrying the virus.
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News release from the Oregon Health Authority:
Confirmed case of measles in Multnomah County linked to Washington state outbreak
PORTLAND, Ore. — 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:
22262 NE Glisan St, Gresham Sunday, Jan. 20, 9-11:30 a.m.
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.
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).
