Measles

So far in 2024, we’ve seen more measles cases in the US than we saw in all of 2023, including cases in Clackamas County. Learn about the ongoing measles outbreak in Oregon from Oregon Health Authority. Measles is not just a rash. It can be very dangerous and even deadly.

The best way to protect yourself and your community is to make sure you and your family are vaccinated against measles. 

What you should know about the measles vaccine 

• The measles vaccine (called the MMR vaccine) has been safely used since the 1970s and is highly effective at making sure you don’t get measles at all.  
• Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age, but it’s never too late to get vaccinated.  
• If you have an infant between 6 and 12 months and will be spending time in an area where measles is spreading, talk to your pediatrician about options.  
• If someone at your child’s school gets measles and your child is not vaccinated, they may be excluded from attending school for 21 days. 

Want to get yourself or your child vaccinated for measles? Talk to your primary care provider, call Clackamas County Health Centers at 503-655-8471 or learn about more options. 

About measles

Measles is not just a rash

• Measles is a very contagious, viral disease.
• Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.
• One in every four people with measles will need to be hospitalized.
• One in every three will suffer complications such as ear infection, lung infection and in rare cases, inflammation of the brain.
• If you are pregnant and have not been vaccinated, measles may cause birth prematurely, or cause you to have a low-birth-weight baby.
• For every 1,000 children with measles, one to three will die from it.

Measles symptoms

• High fever
• Cough and runny nose
• Red eyes
• A red rash that starts on the head and face and spreads to the rest of the body.
• Symptoms usually develop within one to two weeks. Rarely, it can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear. 

How measles spreads

• Measles spreads when someone sick with the virus coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by direct contact with nose or throat mucus of someone with measles.
• People can spread measles before they show obvious symptoms. 
• A person who has never had a measles vaccine or a case of measles has a 90 percent chance of catching the disease if they are near an infected person. 
• People are contagious with measles for four days before the rash appears and up to four days after. 

What to do if you think you or your child has measles

Always call first! Call your provider or urgent care first to make arrangements to avoid spreading the virus to others. 

You are protected from measles if:

•  You are under age four and have had one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
• You are four or older and have had two measles vaccines.
• You were born before 1957.
• You have a blood test that shows you are immune. 

Resources