Oregon, My Oregon

The Statesman Journal, Oregon measles outbreak grows to state's largest since 1991

Oregon's measles outbreak is now the largest reported outbreak in the state since 1991, according to data from the Oregon Health Authority.

The number of cases in the state since mid-June increased to 30 as of Sunday, surpassing the last outbreak in 2019 when 28 cases were reported.
Oregon's 2024 measles outbreak

This summer's outbreak is centered in Marion County, which has seen 20 cases, with additional cases in Clackamas and Multnomah counties. In 2019, the majority of cases were reported in Multnomah and Clackamas counties.

All cases have been unvaccinated individuals, and two have been hospitalized.

“Our measles outbreak continues, with two new cases identified since Friday," said Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division. "The disease is among the most contagious known, and the only way we know to stop it is to maintain very high immunization rates — upwards of 95%. Two doses of vaccine provide lifelong protection for about 97% of recipients. ”

When I was a kid, it was just assumed you'd get measles. Once it started going around in our school, my parents arranged for us to get gamma globulin injections that were supposed to mitigate the effects of the disease. Of course, I got it, as scheduled, and still remember being miserable for at least a week, with a high temperature and a headache, and the rash. The first measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, and virtually eliminate measles a rite of childhood, too late for me. Good riddance.