Measles update: second possible case ruled out

Virginia Barreda
Statesman Journal

Update on Friday, March 15: 

Test results came back negative for a suspected measles case that Marion County has been monitoring this week, health officials said Friday. A separate measles case was confirmed on Tuesday.

Original story on Thursday, March 14:

One case of measles was confirmed Tuesday in Salem. Here are updates on measles in Salem and in Oregon. 

How many cases of measles have been confirmed in Oregon?

There have been seven confirmed measles cases in Oregon, according to Oregon Health Authority officials.

Four of them are related to an outbreak in Clark County, Washington.

The other three are not related to the outbreak: One in Columbia County, one in Marion County and one in Multnomah County. 

How many cases of measles are in Marion County?

Health officials confirmed one case of measles Tuesday in Salem. 

What do we know about the patient?

Health officials have confirmed the patient is from Salem. The patient is not a student at a public or private school in the county. 

Cost of measles outbreak:800 students kept out of school in Clark County, Washington

Is thecase in Salem related to theoutbreak in other Oregon counties?

No, the case is unrelated to the outbreaks in Clark County, Washington, and a report in Multnomah County

How did the Salem patient get the measles?

The case is linked to a traveler with measles from Illinois who visited Marion County in late February and visited a number of places in Salem. 

Health officials believe the patient was exposed at Youth with a Mission sometime between 7 a.m. on Feb. 18 and 1 p.m on Feb. 22. 

What other places did the Illinois traveler visit?

Get Air Trampoline Park, 3910 Rickey St. SE, Salem, from 1:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 21

Red Robin, 831 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 

Portland International Airport: Southwest Airlines check-in area and Concourse C, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 22

Ryan Flett, a registered nurse, holds a single-dose vial for MMR, measles, mumps and rubella, at the Marion County Health & Human Services in Salem on March 14, 2019. There was one case of measles in Marion County confirmed in March.

Is the Salem individual the only local person infected?

Officials have publically announced they are monitoring one other person and awaiting their lab test results.

The lab results should be available Friday, according to Public Health Division Director Katrina Rothenberger with Marion County.

Health officials have declined to disclose the total number of people they are monitoring.

Related:Parents protest Oregon vaccine bill as measles outbreak grows

Did the patient, or those who visitedexposure sites, put others at risk?

People who are being actively monitored have been asked to "voluntarily" isolate themselves in their home, according to Rothenberger.

If it's a child, they are asked not to attend child care or school.

Regarding the confirmed case in Salem, the patient was "advised to stay in their home and not go out to public places, and we're pretty confident that happened," Rothenberger said. 

How long are health officials monitoring individuals who may have been exposed? 

Health officials are actively monitoring all potential cases for 21 days after exposure.

Initially, health officials began monitoring Youth With a Mission at 7085 Battle Creek Road SE, Salem on Feb. 21, after the traveler visited the site. They began monitoring it again on March 11, because of the exposed patient from Salem. Those exposed will be monitored until April 2.  

Health officials began monitoring Get Air Trampoline Park at 3910 Rickey St. SE, Salem on Feb. 21, after the traveler visited the site. Those exposed will be monitored until March 14. 

Health officials began monitoring Red Robin at 831 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem on Feb. 21, after the traveler visited the site. Those exposed will be monitored until March 14.

Health officials began monitoring Portland International Airport's Southwest Airlines check-in area and Concourse on Feb 22, after the traveler visited the site. Those exposed will be monitored until March 15. 

How do measles spread?

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes.

Those with measles are contagious four days before rash onset through four days after rash onset, Rothenberger said. 

The virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left.

A flyer given to patients and other agencies at the Marion County Health & Human Services in Salem on March 14, 2019. There was one case of measles in Marion County confirmed in March.

What are typical measles symptoms?

Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. 

Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but serious complication.

How long does it take for symptoms to appear?

Symptoms usually take about two weeks to appear but can develop anytime between seven to 18 days. 

Who is at risk?

Measles poses the highest risk to unvaccinated pregnant women, infants under 12 months of age and people with weakened immune systems.

Risk may be higher for unvaccinated persons who may have been exposed.

Who is immune to the measles?

In a press release, health officials said: "A person is 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 been fully vaccinated against measles (one dose for children 12 months through 3 years old, two doses in anyone 4 years and older)."

I think may have been exposed, what do I do?

Officials urge people to avoid going to the doctor if they are not immune, have been exposed and have symptoms. 

Instead, they are asked to contact a doctor by telephone to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. 

Those with questions about public exposures should call Marion County Health & Human Services at (503) 588-5621. The call center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the Oregon Health Authority website for more information. 

What is the measles immunization process for children?

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine is a two-dose series. The first dose of MMR vaccine is routine for one-year-olds. A second dose is required for children entering kindergarten, according to Diana Dickey, immunization coordinator with Marion County  Health and Human Services. 

As of March 4, 98.6 percent of students in kindergarten through 12 grade in Marion County have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, Dickey said. 

What is the measles immunization process for adults?

Adults also require two doses of the MMR vaccine. Certain programs such as medical assistant positions and jobs in childcare require MMR immunizations. 

Unvaccinated adults can ask their primary care physician about getting the MMR vaccine.

Those born before 1957 are considered immune to measles.

Virginia Barreda is the Breaking News Reporter at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at 503-399-6657 or at vbarreda@statesmanjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.