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The Multnomah County Well being Division on Tuesday reported the county’s first measles case since 2019. The case is unrelated to the measles clusters lately reported in Clackamas and Marion counties, officers mentioned.
An unvaccinated baby – who lately traveled to a rustic the place measles is extra widespread than within the U.S. – was recognized with the virus over the weekend, in accordance with an announcement from county well being spokesperson Sarah Dean.
Extra instances amongst unvaccinated folks throughout the baby’s family are anticipated, Dean mentioned.
The household is cooperating with public-health professionals, and officers mentioned they’re optimistic that group unfold won’t happen from this case.
There have been 5 instances of measles confirmed in Oregon this 12 months.
On Friday, Oregon well being authorities introduced two instances in unvaccinated kids in Marion County. Final month, two instances — an unvaccinated grownup and an unvaccinated baby — have been reported in a Clackamas County family.
Measles is extremely contagious and spreads by means of the air when an contaminated individual coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger within the air for as much as two hours, in accordance with well being officers.
Persons are contagious for about 4 days earlier than a rash seems and as much as 4 days after, well being consultants say. Signs embrace fever, cough, runny nostril and purple eyes, often adopted by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the remainder of the physique. These signs start seven to 21 days after publicity to the an infection.
In 2000, measles was all however eradicated within the U.S., because of the measles vaccine, first launched in 1963. Current years, nonetheless, have seen a decline in vaccination charges, resulting in a resurgence of the illness.
Officers say measles — which will be deadly — poses the best threat to those that haven’t acquired a measles vaccination, pregnant folks, infants youthful than 1 and other people with weakened immune programs.
People are thought-about proof against measles in the event that they have been born earlier than 1957, have beforehand been recognized with the illness, have a blood take a look at proving immunity or have had two doses of the measles vaccine.
Well being professionals urge folks experiencing signs of measles to name their healthcare supplier or an urgent-care middle earlier than going into the power to create an entry plan that avoids exposing others to the illness.
To be taught extra about measles go to the CDC web site.
— David Nuñez covers breaking information and public security for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Attain him at 503-294-7607 or dnunez@oregonian.com.
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