Portland, Oregon (coin) — Oregon health officials are warning the public after possible cases of measles at several Marion County stores in mid-July.
This comes after multiple cases of measles have been reported in Oregon since mid-June, with no known risk of infection to the general public to date.
But the Oregon Health Authority said Friday it is encouraging people to monitor themselves for measles symptoms and to call a health care provider if they develop symptoms after visiting certain stores at certain times.
People who visited the following places and times on July 17 may have been infected:
- Wear Mart, 5450 River Road N., Keizer, from noon to 1:20 p.m.
- Walmart, 3002 Stacy Allison Way, Woodburn, from 1:15 to 2:35 p.m.
- Safeway, 1550 N. Pacific Hwy, Woodburn, from 2:40 to 3:05 p.m.
Marion County health officials on Wednesday Investigating eight cases of measles But public health officials added at the time that no cases were suspected. OHA announced Friday that a ninth case was under investigation in Marion County.
A total of 15 cases of measles have been reported in Oregon since mid-June, including five in Clackamas County and one in Multnomah County.
“Measles is the most contagious disease we know of,” says Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director of communicable diseases and immunization for the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division. “If you develop a rash, do not show up to the emergency department or your doctor’s office. Call ahead and arrange for your doctor to meet you somewhere where you won’t infect others.”
Measles, which spreads through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. It is followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the whole body. Infected people are contagious for up to four days before the rash appears, and for up to four days after the rash appears.
Viral particles can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.The disease can cause more common symptoms such as ear and lung infections and diarrhea, as well as a rare but more serious complication in some people: brain swelling.