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Oregon Flags Measles in Marion County Wastewater, Issues Precautionary Alert

The notice to health care providers follows a single Oct. 6 wastewater sample that signaled recent virus presence without confirming community spread.

Overview

  • Oregon Health Authority said routine testing found measles genetic material in a sample collected Oct. 6 at a Marion County treatment plant.
  • The agency sent a Health Alert Network message urging clinicians to watch for symptoms, take infection-control steps, and report suspected cases immediately.
  • Officials cautioned that one positive wastewater result does not establish ongoing risk and could reflect a traveler passing through the sewershed.
  • Residents were urged to check MMR vaccination status, with particular concern for unvaccinated people, infants, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.
  • Oregon has logged one measles case this year as CDC counts 1,573 cases nationwide tied to dozens of outbreaks.