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Measles in Oregon surpasses three year high
KATU • • health
Key Points:
- Oregon has reported 45 measles cases this week, surpassing the 2024 peak of 31 cases and marking the highest count since a 1991 spike of 100 cases; in 2025, the state had only one case.
- The rise in cases coincides with a decline in MMR vaccination rates, with only 88% of Oregon's 2-year-olds vaccinated compared to the national average of 90-91%.
- Nationwide, measles cases have surged to 2,465 this year, far exceeding the 85 cases reported in 2000, with Oregon having a higher per capita rate than neighboring Western states.
- Measles can cause severe complications including hospitalization, brain swelling, pneumonia, and death, particularly among young children and those with weakened immune systems; vaccination significantly reduces the risk of contracting the disease.
- Health officials recommend early MMR vaccination for children 6 months or older during the outbreak and advise parents to inquire about vaccination policies and outbreak response plans at schools and daycares to protect vulnerable children.
