Measles & Whooping Cough Outbreak Surges Among Large Pool Of Unvaccinated Kids

Oregon has faced a resurgence of preventable diseases, with the number of measles cases on the rise and outbreaks of whooping cough affecting multiple counties across the state.

After reports of only one measles case in 2022, Oregon has now confirmed six cases, and the state health authorities warn that the number could potentially increase in the coming weeks. The outbreak is centered in Marion County and the first cases involved an unvaccinated adult and child in the same household who were infected in the county. Subsequently, three more unvaccinated children from separate households, aged between 4 and 14 years, have been infected.

The measles outbreak is the largest the state has seen since 2019, and it comes amid a broader resurgence of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, which has infected over 350 people in just over a dozen counties this year. The whooping cough outbreaks have been reported in counties such as Lane, Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington, among others.

Measles and whooping cough are highly contagious and spread through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes; particles can remain airborne for up to two hours. The diseases can cause a range of symptoms, such as fevers, sore throat, runny nose, and in the case of measles, a distinctive rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. More severe complications, such as ear infections, pneumonia, and in rare cases, brain swelling, can also occur.

Both measles and whooping cough can be effectively prevented through vaccination. For whooping cough, the recommended vaccination schedule includes five doses of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine for children, and one dose for preteens. The measles vaccine, known as the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, is even more effective, with two doses recommended for children between 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age.

While the World Health Organization declared measles eradicated in the United States in 2000, the disease has since reemerged, largely due to a combination of people who bring the virus in from abroad and the increased number of parents who choose not to vaccinate their children. Oregon, like many other states, requires children who enter kindergarten to have two doses of the measles-containing vaccine, but parents can opt out by obtaining a medical or nonmedical exemption.

Health officials urge the public to stay vigilant and ensure that they and their children are fully vaccinated to help curb the spread of these potentially dangerous illnesses.

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