PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon health officials are alerting the public to a new potential measles exposure location in Gresham and urging anyone who may have been at the site during a specific time period to contact a health care provider immediately to determine their immunity status.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County health officials announced that a person with measles visited Legacy GoHealth Urgent Care, located at 2850 SE Powell Valley Road, Unit 100, Gresham, between 3:05 p.m. and 7:09 p.m. on Sunday, July 26.
Anyone who was at the clinic during that time may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. Health officials recommend those individuals contact their health care provider as soon as possible. Providers can determine whether a person is protected based on vaccination records, age, or laboratory evidence of previous infection.
For families without a primary care provider, Multnomah County offers appointments through its seven primary care clinics and nine student health centers, which serve anyone ages 5 to 18. New patient appointments can be scheduled by calling 503-988-5558.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and is considered one of the most contagious infectious diseases. People with measles can spread the virus for four days before a rash develops and up to four days afterward. The virus can also remain in the air for as long as two hours after an infected person has left the area.
Symptoms typically develop seven to 21 days after exposure and often begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes before a distinctive rash appears, usually starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.
Health officials say measles can lead to serious complications, including ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, and, in rare cases, swelling of the brain. Infants, children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk of severe illness. In developed countries, approximately one to three out of every 1,000 measles cases are fatal.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against the disease. According to OHA, two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, and vaccinated individuals who become infected are much less likely to experience severe illness.
Officials also urge anyone who develops a measles-like rash or experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, or red eyes within 21 days of a known exposure not to arrive at a medical facility without first calling ahead. Patients should contact their health care provider or urgent care clinic by phone so staff can make arrangements to prevent exposing others in waiting rooms.
OHA continues to monitor the situation and encourages the public to remain up to date on recommended vaccinations to help prevent the spread of measles.
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