Traveler with measles may have exposed others at PDX
An individual contagious with measles visited Portland International Airport, as well as locations in Marion County, health officials said Friday. The case is unrelated to the measles outbreak in Clark County, Wash., and unrelated to a recent report of measles in Multnomah County.
In this case, the individual, a resident of Illinois, recently spent time in countries where measles is common and has not received immunizations against the virus.
The Oregon Health Authority is working with Marion and Multnomah counties 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:
Youth With a Mission, 7085 Battle Creek Road SE, Salem, Feb. 18, 7 a.m. through Feb. 22, 1 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.
Who 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 hours are Friday, March 1, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, March 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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:
Marion County Public Health Division: 503-588-5621. Multnomah County Public Health: 503-988-3406.
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).
