Oregonian diagnosed with measles in second outbreak

Study: Vaccination against measles may have other benefits

FILE - In this file photo, a pediatrician holds a dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at his practice in Northridge, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) AP

A second Oregon measles outbreak has started after an infected person from Illinois visited the Salem area.

Marion County public health officials confirmed Tuesday that one person has been diagnosed with measles. Another person is suspected of having measles, but officials are waiting on lab tests to confirm.

This case is unrelated to the Vancouver-area outbreak that has infected 76 people as of Wednesday -- four in Multnomah County, one in King County and the rest in Clark County.

The unvaccinated person who brought the virus to Oregon traveled abroad in countries where measles is common and then brought the virus back to the U.S. The person landed in Portland International Airport, jumped on trampolines in Salem and ate at a Red Robin, casting a large net where people might have been exposed to the virus.

People who have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent immunized and will likely not get measles even if exposed. However, nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus will contract it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For every 1,000 people who get measles, one to two die.

Multnomah and Marion county public health departments have already started to notify people who might have been exposed of the risk.

Anyone who was in these locations at the specified times might have also been exposed:

  • Youth With a Mission, 7085 Battle Creek Road SE, Salem, Feb. 18, 7 a.m. through March 11, 5 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.

Measles travels through the air and can linger in an enclosed space for up to two hours. Unvaccinated people who think they might have been exposed can reduce the risk of infection if they get one dose of the shot within 72 hours after exposure to the virus.

To help prevent further spreading of the disease, health officials ask that people who think they might have measles call their doctor or health care provider before going to a hospital or doctor’s office.

If you have questions about measles or exposure risk, call:

  • Marion County Public Health Division: 503-588-5621.
  • Multnomah County Public Health: 503-988-3406.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com
503-294-5923
@MollyHarbarger
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