Oregon health officials declare measles outbreak with five confirmed cases

State health officials declared a measles outbreak Thursday following five confirmed cases in Oregon.

Dr. Howard Chiou, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations for the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, warned during a virtual press conference Thursday morning that those cases likely represent a fraction of the actual numbers in the state. That’s because not everyone who catches measles will seek medical attention, Chiou said.

“What I really want families to hear is that measles is here in Oregon,” Chiou said. “Cases are rising across the United States. And people should really reconsider their vaccine decisions and talk to their health care providers to make sure that they and their families are getting the protection that they need.”

A new data dashboard the Oregon Health Authority published Thursday shows how the measles virus has spread through Oregon counties, based on wastewater surveillance. Health officials take samples from community sewage to check for the measles virus, as they do for other diseases.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/20/repub/oregon-health-officials-declare-measles-outbreak-with-five-confirmed-cases/