Oregon Health Authority warns of possible measles exposures in Marion County stores
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon health officials are warning the public that there were some potential measles exposures at some Marion County stores in mid-July.
This comes after multiple cases of measles have been reported in Oregon since mid-June. Until now, no public exposure risk has been reported.
However, on Friday, the Oregon Health Authority said they are recommending people to monitor themselves for measles symptoms and talk to a healthcare provider over the phone if symptoms arise after they visited certain store locations at certain times.
People may have been exposed if they visited the following locations and times on July 17:
- Waremart (5450 River Road N., Keizer), between noon and 1:20 p.m.
- Walmart (3002 Stacy Allison Way, Woodburn), between 1:15 and 2:35 p.m.
- Safeway (1550 N. Pacific Hwy, Woodburn), between 2:40 and 3:05 p.m.
On Wednesday, Marion County health officials said they're investigating eight cases of measles but added that, at the time, there was no known public exposure. OHA said on Friday that a ninth case is being investigated in Marion County.
There have been 15 cases of measles in Oregon, overall, since mid-June. That includes five cases in Clackamas County and one in Multnomah County.
“Measles is the most contagious disease we know,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division. “If you have a rash, please don’t drop in on an emergency department or your doctor’s office. Call ahead so that the doctor can arrange to meet you where others won’t be exposed.”
Measles, which spreads through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash that starts on the face and spreads throughout the body then follows Infected people are contagious for up to four days before the rash appears and up to four days afterward.
The virus particles can also linger in the air for up to two hours after the infected person has left the area. The disease can also cause the rare but much more serious complication of brain swelling in some people as well as the more common ear and lung infections and diarrhea.