Health Officials Issue Measles Warning

A Lane County resident and a visitor to Washington County have been diagnosed with measles. Their illnesses are linked to an individual with the disease who passed through Portland International Airport earlier this month.

The two new cases reportedly were on the same international flight that landed in Portland on Oct. 12, as reported by Multnomah County Health Department, according to the Oregon Health Authority. OHA epidemiologists are working with public health staff in both counties to confirm sites where others may have been exposed.

None of the cases have been fully vaccinated against measles.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease, and it doesn’t take much to spread it from one person to another, particularly in the close quarters of an airline flight,” said Ann Thomas, MD, public health physician at OHA. “It’s a good reminder of how important it is to make sure all adults and children in your household are up to date on vaccines.”

Exposure locations

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 the following locations, dates and times:

Multnomah County

• Saturday, Oct. 12
  • 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Portland International Airport, Delta Air Lines Inc., Flight 0179 from Amsterdam (AMS) to Portland (PDX)

Lane County

• Monday, Oct. 21
  • 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Creswell Bakery, 182 S 2nd St, Creswell
  • Noon-4 pm, Bier Stein, 1591 Willamette Street, Eugene

• Wednesday, Oct. 23
  • 4-7:30 p.m., Blue Mist, 1400 Valley River Dr., Suite 130, Eugene
  • 6-9:30 p.m., North Fork Public House, 2805 Shadowview, Eugene

Washington County

• Sunday, Oct. 20
  • 12:15-3:45 p.m., Wu’s Open Kitchen, 15660 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard
  • 4:45-8:00 p.m., Costco, 25900 SW Heather Pl, Willsonville

• Wednesday, Oct 23
  • 1:15-3:45 p.m., Tous Les Jours, 11735 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton
  • 1:45-4:15 p.m., Starbucks inside Target, 10775 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton

Clackamas County

• Monday, Oct. 21
  • 12:15-2:45 p.m., Trader Joe’s, 15391 SW Bangy Rd, Lake Oswego

Additional exposure sites might be added as the investigation continues.

Whom to call

Public health officials urge people to first call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone if:

1. They have been exposed within the previous 21 days, AND
2. They have symptoms of measles (such as fever, cough, red eyes or rash).

Having an entry plan helps to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

People with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their county health department:

• Multnomah County Public Health, 503-988-3406
• Lane County Public Health, 541-682-4041
• Washington County Public Health, 503-846-3594
• Clackamas County Public Health, 503-655-8411

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. Symptoms begin 7–21 days following exposure.

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 up to 4 days before they get a rash.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious once they have symptoms, which typically start about 4 days before the rash, until 4 days after the rash. The virus can also linger in the air up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

You are 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 had 2 doses of measles vaccine.

For more information on measles for the public, visit the OHA measles web page.