Sixth Measles Case Confirmed in Marion County
Salem, OR – Public Health officials have identified two additional confirmed cases of measles in Marion County since June 17, 2024. This brings the confirmed case count in Marion County up to six total. Both confirmed cases are Marion County residents, one case is a child and another is an adult. Both cases were diagnosed on July 19, 2024 and confirmed unvaccinated. Marion County officials are in the process of contacting those who may have been exposed. Currently, there are no known public exposures in Marion County, and there are currently no known connections between these cases and the four other recently confirmed measles cases in Marion County. To date, all cases in Marion County have been in separate households.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Signs of measles usually begin 7-21 days after exposure and include fever, rash, cough, and red, water eyes. Common complications include ear infections, lung infections and severe diarrhea. Swelling of the brain, though rare, is a much more serious complication.
Most people have received the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine as children, which provides low risk of getting measles. However, unvaccinated individuals are at much higher risk if exposed to the virus.
The illness poses the highest risk to:
Unvaccinated pregnant people
Infants younger than one year old
People with weakened immune systems
Individuals are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply:
Born before 1957.
Have been diagnosed with measles at any point in their life.
A blood test proves that they are immune.
They have had two doses of measles vaccine.
If you think you have measles, or have been exposed to it, do not visit a medical office without calling ahead. This is to prevent the spreading of the virus to others. Call your provider or urgent care center to provide a plan for your visit.
For more information about measles, visit the Oregon Health Authorities Measles / Rubeola disease information page.