2 confirmed measles cases in Clackamas County; OHA warns about unreported cases

Two people in Clackamas County are confirmed to have measles and the Oregon Health Authority believes there might be others.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two people in Clackamas County are confirmed to have measles and Oregon health officials say there might be other cases.

According to Oregon Health Authority, on June 14, an unvaccinated adult was confirmed to have measles after a rash began developing on June 11. Based off that timeline, OHA believes they were exposed to measles sometime between May 19 and June 4 in Marion County.

A few days later, an unvaccinated child in the same household also developed symptoms.

“Spreading measles from one person to another is pretty easy, as it’s a highly infectious disease,” said Paul R. Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division. “That’s why it’s extremely important that all adults and children in their household be up to date on vaccinations.”

Anyone who was at the OHSU Immediate Care Richmond Clinic between 4:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. on June 12 or at the OHSU Hospital Emergency Department after 6 p.m. on June 12 or 7:15 p.m. on June 14 may have been exposed during that time.

Measles is spread through the air through coughs or sneezes and OHA said that the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours.

The virus starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes and will usually be followed by a rash beginning on the face and spreading. Typically symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure.

People who are vaccinated have a low risk of getting measles, and the virus poses the most risk to unvaccinated pregnant people, infants under a year old and people with weakened immune systems.

OHA recommends anyone planning to seek medical care should contact their health care provider by phone to create an entry plan to avoid exposure.