PORTLAND, Ore. — A new measles exposure site has been confirmed at a Safeway grocery store in southeast Portland, prompting health officials to urge anyone who may have been exposed to contact a medical provider.
The Safeway location has been identified by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County Health Department as a potential exposure site on multiple dates in late March.
According to officials, individuals may have been exposed if they were at the store during the following times:
- Between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26
- Between 2 p.m. and midnight Friday, March 27
- Between 2:20 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28
- Between 2 p.m. and midnight Sunday, March 29
Anyone who was present at the location during those timeframes is advised to contact a health care provider immediately. Providers can assess a person’s immunity based on vaccination records, age, or prior infection.
Health officials also noted that families without a primary care provider can establish care through Multnomah County’s network of clinics or student health centers by calling 503-988-5558.
Highly Contagious Virus
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Individuals are contagious for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads across the body.
While many recover, measles can lead to serious complications, including ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, and in rare cases, brain swelling. The illness poses the greatest risk to young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. In developed countries, one to three out of every 1,000 measles cases can be fatal.
Vaccination Offers Strong Protection
Health experts emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective protection against measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection, and severe illness is rare among those who are fully vaccinated.
What To Do If You Have Symptoms
Public health officials advise people who develop symptoms not to visit medical facilities without calling ahead, especially if they:
- Have a measles-like rash, or
- Have been exposed within the past 21 days and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or red eyes
Calling in advance allows clinics and urgent care centers to take precautions and prevent further spread in waiting areas.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and encourage the public to remain vigilant, particularly those who may have been at the identified location during the exposure windows.
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