PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — As measles cases and exposure sites continue to mount in Oregon, state health officials held a press conference Friday to discuss the spread of the virus.
OHA Health Officer & State Epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger was joined Professor Dawn Nolt of OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in the press conference to go over the state’s latest measles data.
There have been 20 documented cases of measles in Oregon since the start of the year, and 19 of the total cases were in unvaccinated people or those who had an unknown vaccine status.
“By comparison, there were no measles cases in Oregon by this time in 2021, 2022, 2024, or 2025, and only one case by this time in 2023,” said Dr. Sidelinger. “We ended up with 31 cases in all of 2024, when we had a big outbreak that summer. We’re well on our way to beating that number by the end of this year.”
The OHA on Friday said the state saw its first non-household measles outbreak, happening between Multnomah and Clackamas counties.
Health officials also announced their first measles hospitalization of the year, saying that person is now well enough to return home.
The Oregon Health Authority press conference came after announcing at least three new exposure sites in the Portland metro area since Tuesday.
MORE COVERAGE: MEASLES IN OREGON
Along with the recent exposure sites, the OHA discussed its collaborative work with local county public health departments on investigating cases.
Sidelinger said he thinks the number of reported cases is “just the tip of the iceberg,” as many people who get infected with measles manage the illness at home.
A graphic from the Oregon Health Authority shows the symptoms of Measles.
They talked about tracking measles cases through wastewater surveillance. The latest data shows “very low” levels of the virus in Marion and Hood River counties.
Even at low levels, the detections show measles is present in Oregon and spreading nationally. Health officials are urging residents to ensure they are vaccinated.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can infect up to 90% of unprotected close contacts. Complications can include pneumonia, brain inflammation and death.