Oregon is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in more than 30 years, mirroring a trend this year of rising measles cases across the United States. As of Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority reported 31 cases of measles across the state, all in unvaccinated people, most of whom are children younger than 18.
As kids return to school, where illness can spread quickly among classmates, pediatric health experts urge families to take precautions to minimize the spread of this highly infectious disease.
“We know that measles is incredibly contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5, so the continued rise in cases is certainly cause for concern,” says Ben Hoffman, M.D., professor of pediatrics in the OHSU School of Medicine, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, and president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Vaccination is a safe, simple and highly effective way to help keep your kids healthy and reduce the spread of disease within our community,” Hoffman says. “Routine childhood vaccinations, including the two-shot series to protect against measles, are especially crucial as kids head back to school.”
Questions and answers
Q: What is measles?
A: Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread by airborne viral particles, for example when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes and a rash made up of flat red blotches. Measles poses the highest risk to unvaccinated people, especially those who are pregnant, infants younger than 1 year old, and people with weakened immune systems.
Q: How can I prevent a measles infection?
A: The best protection against measles is MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine series that is 97% effective in preventing measles. Learn more about the MMR vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typically, health insurance plans cover the cost of vaccines, and most routine vaccinations are available at your doctor’s office or neighborhood pharmacy. If you’re unsure of where to receive a vaccine, call your local county health department.
Q: What is causing this resurgence of measles cases?
A: The childhood vaccination rate has actually slipped among kindergarteners since the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that it’s possible for the infection to more readily spread within pockets of unvaccinated people — including among infants and young children who haven’t yet received their full two-dose MMR vaccine series. This is especially concerning because measles is among the most communicable infections, with a single infected person capable of infecting nine or 10 others nearby if they’re not immunized through vaccination or prior infection.
Measles is often brought into the U.S. by someone who has traveled outside the country, and when unvaccinated people are exposed, measles spreads very quickly. Vaccination is critical because when more than 95% of people are vaccinated against measles, the disease slows down and doesn't spread.
Q: Why should I vaccinate my child?
A: Children are born with amazing immune systems that can fight most germs, but some viruses and bacteria can cause especially serious or even deadly diseases. Vaccines help the immune system make antibodies that specifically protect children from contracting diseases, and vaccines also reduce the risk of severe illness if children do become sick. Vaccines are like the security updates for your phone or computer: they are security updates for your immune system.
Vaccines not only protect your child and family; they also help prevent the spread of illness to your friends, loved ones and community. Vaccines are very safe and effective, and they help prevent severe diseases. In all cases, vaccines are given to children only after extensive testing and review by scientists, clinicians and health care professionals. If you have questions about vaccination, you’re encouraged to speak with your health care provider.