The Oregon Health Authority reported the state’s first measles hospitalization and the first outbreak outside of a household on April 17.
That means infection spread beyond direct family and signifies that wider community transmission may be occurring, State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said during a video press conference.
“If you are not vaccinated, think about the situation we’re in,” Sidelinger said. “Your risk of being exposed to measles is much higher now, so please consider getting you and your children vaccinated.”
The announcement comes amid renewed calls from Oregon health officials for unvaccinated residents to get inoculated against the measles virus as the nation nears its highest case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
State health officials said Oregon has 20 confirmed cases of measles so far this year already, a stark contrast to 2025 when the state didn’t see its first case until June.
The United States has seen a rise in measles cases in recent years. Nearly 1,750 measles cases have been reported nationwide so far in 2026, compared to the 2,286 total cases reported in 2025, raising concerns that this year could see another record-breaking number of measles cases.
The Oregon Health Authority reported on April 14 that the most recent measles exposures occurred at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham and at a middle school in Southeast Portland. The agency also reported on April 6 that two businesses in Keizer were listed as possible exposure sites.
According to Dr. Dawn Nolt, a pediatric professor at Oregon Health and Science University, prevention is absolutely critical.
“Measles is highly contagious. It’s often thought of as the most contagious disease in the world,” Nolt said. “Currently, we don’t have an anti-viral treatment to cure it.”
The newly reported hospitalization and outbreak highlights the potential severity of measles. Health officials said Oregon could see its highest number of measles cases since the disease was eradicated, exceeding the record 31 cases reported in 2024.
Officials continue to stress that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, as the majority of Oregon’s confirmed measles cases were among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease caused by the measles virus. It typically begins with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat, followed by a blotchy rash that starts on the face or at the hairline and then spreads across the body.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms of measles include:
FeverCoughRunny noseRed eyesRash (Usually begins on the face before spreading down the body)
Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes and can remain in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infected has left the area.
A person with the measles can be contagious for up to four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward, according to OHA.
Complications of measles can include ear or lung infection and diarrhea. Rarer and more serious complications can include swelling of the brain. There have been approximately one to two fatal cases of measles out of every 1,000 cases in developed countries in recent years, according to OHA.
Symptoms can begin anywhere from seven to 21 days after a person is exposed.
Who is most at risk in Oregon of contracting measles?
According to OHA, unvaccinated Oregonians are the most at risk for contracting measles.
Measles is highly contagious and can be spread through the air. Symptoms may not occur for several days, increasing the chance of exposure.
People who are at the highest risk include:
Unvaccinated pregnant people.Infants younger than one year old.People with weakened immune systems.
Some people are considered immune to measles if they:
Were born before 1957.Have been diagnosed with measles at any point in their life.Have had a blood test that proves they are immune.Have had two doses of measles vaccine.
“The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles,” OHA said. “The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.”
Measles can also be dangerous to children younger than 5 years old and unvaccinated adults older than 20 years.
What should you do if you think you have measles?
According to Public health officials, anyone who believes they have measles or are experiencing symptoms of measles such as a measles-like rash or those who may have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, should not arrive unannounced at a medical office.
Instead, individuals who plan to get medical care should first call their health care provider or urgent care center first to come with an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.
For more information about measles symptoms, go to www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon reports first measles hospitalization, likely community spread
Reporting by Ginnie Sandoval, Salem Statesman Journal / Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect