Multnomah County public health officials are investigating one case of measles in an unvaccinated young child with recent travel to an area with measles activity.
The family is cooperating with public health officials who are working to protect the health of both the family and the public. Additional cases among unvaccinated individuals within the child’s household are expected. However, officials are optimistic that community spread will not occur from this case. The child did receive care in a healthcare setting while infectious. However, for any potential healthcare exposures, the health system will contact people directly. This case is unrelated to ongoing measles activity elsewhere in Oregon.
The child and their family had recently spent time abroad in a country where measles is more common. Public health believes there is little risk to the public at this time. Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and their risk is low.
How measles spreads and symptoms
Measles is a respiratory virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs, sneezes, or breathes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.
Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. People are infectious when symptoms start through a few days after the rash begins. There are no asymptomatic carriers. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and severe diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. In developed countries in recent years, one or two out of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal. However, even in previously healthy children, measles can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization in children not vaccinated.
Determining your risk of measles
Most Oregonians have been vaccinated to prevent measles, usually as children. Anyone who has received a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at any time in their life has a low risk of getting measles. Risk is much higher for anyone who has not received an MMR vaccine and may have been exposed to the disease.
The MMR vaccine is safe and our best protection against measles. If you aren’t sure if you’ve been vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider or request records from the Oregon Health Authority. If you are currently unvaccinated, Multnomah County encourages you to get an MMR vaccine. Contact your healthcare provider, the Multnomah County Community Immunization Program or 211 for more information on how to get an MMR vaccine.
Measles poses the highest risk to:
- Unvaccinated pregnant people.
- Infants younger than 1 year old.
- People with weakened immune systems.
You are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply:
- You were born before 1957.
- You’ve been diagnosed with measles at any point in your life.
- A blood test proves that you are immune.
- You have had two doses of measles vaccine (typically given at 1 and 4 years old).
What to do if you suspect measles in your household
If you think you may have measles, stay home until you have spoken with your healthcare provider or public health. This will help limit spread in the community.
If you or a family member has been exposed to measles in the last 21 days and develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider by phone. Do not show up unannounced to a healthcare facility (such as a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room). This could potentially expose other people to measles in common areas such as the waiting room. Your healthcare provider will develop an entry plan for you to get the medical care you need without exposing others.
Learn more about measles at www.cdc.gov/measles. A clinician alert was sent to 1,700 medical providers on July 12, 2024 with more information on testing and resources. Find information about your child’s school, preschool, or childcare vaccination rates here.
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