|
Oct. 17, 2025
Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
PORTLAND, Ore.--Oregon Health Authority is alerting health care workers to a detection of measles found in a sewage sample through routine wastewater testing.
Wastewater testing, an early warning system, indicates at least one person with measles was in an area. OHA and Marion County health officials say health care providers should remain vigilant monitoring for patients who might have measles, and members of the public should ensure they are up to date on measles vaccination.
“One way to think about wastewater surveillance is like a ping on a radar -- it could be low levels of the virus just passing through or something more serious, like an outbreak,” says Howard Chiou, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of communicable disease and immunizations at OHA. “It gives us a chance to prepare our health care partners with information they can use to help patients take steps to protect themselves, including reminding them to be up to date on their measles vaccines.”
View video clips of Dr. Chiou discussing the measles detection and wastewater surveillance. A link to broadcast-quality clips for media is available upon request.
The positive sample was collected Oct. 6 from a wastewater treatment plant in Marion County. The detection means there was at least one person infected with measles virus within the local area serviced by the wastewater treatment plant.
The health care alert is precautionary, as a single positive wastewater test result does not show whether there is ongoing risk to the community. The positive detection may have come from a person simply traveling through the area.
The alert is sent via the Health Alert Network (HAN), which facilitates information sharing between hospitals, clinics, laboratories, public safety, EMS and other public health partners throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
About wastewater surveillance
Wastewater surveillance provides early warning to give communities a chance to prepare for seasonal and emerging infectious diseases. Wastewater–commonly known as sewage–is produced whenever people flush a toilet, use a sink or take a shower. Sewage then flows into water systems that carry it to local wastewater facilities.
Anyone who uses the sewage system contributes to wastewater surveillance, and test results cannot be traced back to individuals.
How health care providers can help
Health care providers should remain vigilant monitoring patients for symptoms consistent with measles. They should encourage patients with such symptoms to call ahead before visiting their medical clinic or facility so infection control measures can be taken. All clinicians are required to immediately report suspected and confirmed cases of measles to the local public health authority.
How people can protect themselves
People should know their vaccination status and their family’s status. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can cause severe disease in both children and adults. About one in 10 people with measles requires hospitalization, and measles can cause life-threatening illness.
The best and safest way to prevent measles is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Most people born before 1957 are considered immune. Those who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact their health care provider.
Measles symptoms include cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (eye redness) with high fever, followed by a rash that spreads down the body. Complications can include ear infection, lung infections and diarrhea. Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) is a rare but much more serious complication. In the United States in recent years, one to two of every 1,000 measles cases have been fatal.
Additional information
More information about measles is available on the Oregon Health Authority Measles webpage.
 You are subscribed to Oregon Health Authority News Releases. View all OHA news releases.
|
