Oregon state health officials are reporting a confirmed measles case that spent time in Portland, The Dalles and Hood River. The individual traveled from out of the country.

Measles/CDC
Measles/CDC

“Measles is a highly contagious disease with the potential to cause significant health complications,” said Miriam McDonell, MD, North Central Public Health District’s Health Officer. “Fortunately, due to very high vaccination rates in Oregon, cases of measles are quite rare.”

Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and their risk is low. Risk may be higher for unvaccinated persons who may have been exposed at one of these locations during these times only:

  • The Discovery Center, The Dalles, Dec. 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
  • Fred Meyer, The Dalles, Dec. 31, 5-6 p.m.
  • Doppio Café, Hood River, Dec. 30, noon to 1 p.m.
  • Goodwill, Hood River, Dec. 30, noon to 1 p.m.
  • Full Sail Brewery, Hood River, Dec. 30, 1-2 p.m.
  • OHSU Emergency Department, Portland, Jan. 2, 9 a.m. to noon.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily to people who are not immune. It is spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People with measles can spread the virus to others before they develop a rash. The virus can also linger in the air for minutes to hours after someone who is infectious has left.

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“From this exposure, we would expect symptoms in anyone newly infected to appear any time over the next two weeks,” McDonell said.