Two new cases of measles in Oregon are linked to the exposure at Portland International Airport earlier this month.
Both people were exposed on an international flight that landed in Portland on Oct. 12 and have since come down with the virus, according to a news release from the Oregon Health Authority. One is a Lane County resident and the other was visiting Washington County.
The cases could have exposed people locations in Washington, Clackamas and Lane County, OHA warns -- including the Costco in Wilsonville and Trader Joe’s in Lake Oswego.
Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the news release. People can’t spread measles until they are sick with symptoms, although the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after a sick person leaves the area.
While measles vaccines are effective in preventing the illness, some people are at a higher risk of contracting it, especially people who have not had the vaccine or no longer have full immunity, have an immune-compromising illness or are pregnant.
Of the two newest cases, neither person had 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,” Ann Thomas, a public health physician at OHA, said. “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.”
Both counties are working with OHA epidemiologists to find out where measles may have been spread in the two newest cases.
People who were in the following areas at these times should monitor themselves for symptoms consult a physician if they have not been vaccinated.
Sunday, Oct. 20:
- In Tigard at Wu’s Open Kitchen between 12:15 and 3:45 p.m.
- In Wilsonville at Costco between 4:45 and 8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21:
- In Creswell at Creswell Bakery between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- In Lake Oswego at Trader Joe’s on Southwest Bangy Road between 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
- In Eugene at Bier Stein between noon and 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23:
- In Beaverton at the Tous Les Jours Bakery between 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. and Starbucks inside the Target on Southwest Beaverton Hillsdale Highway between 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
- In Eugene at Blue Mist between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- In Eugene at the North Fork Public House between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. People should call a health care provider if they have been exposed in the last 21 days and have symptoms, OHA warns.
Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure and often mimic the flu and usually begin with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.
This is followed by a rash that often begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The sickness can lead to ear infection, lung infection, diarrhea and swelling of the brain, according to the news release.
People are immune if they have been diagnosed with measles before, were born before 1957, had a blood test proving their immunity, or have had two doses of the measles vaccine.
-- Emily Goodykoontz; 503-221-6652; egoodykoontz@gmail.com
This post has been updated with new exposure sites.