OHA Public Health Physician Ann Thomas discusses recent measles cases in Oregon – A Lane County resident and a visitor to Washington County have been diagnosed with measles. Their illnesses are linked to an individual with the disease who passed through Portland International Airport earlier this month. The two new cases reportedly were on the same international flight that landed in Portland on Oct. 12, as reported by Multnomah County Health Department, according to the Oregon Health Authority. OHA epidemiologists are working with public health staff in both counties to confirm sites where others may have been exposed. None of the cases have been fully vaccinated against measles. “Measles is a highly infectious disease, and it doesn’t take much to spread it from one person to another, particularly in the close quarters of an airline flight,” said Ann Thomas, MD, public health physician at OHA. “It’s a good reminder of how important it is to make sure all adults and children in your household are up to date on vaccines.”
