Occupational Health Nurses Provide Workers Information on Emerging or Re-Emerging Communicable Diseases

Workers often ask Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) about general health concerns that are not job related. Nurses continue to be among the most trusted professions. Keeping up on current health issues such as emerging or re-emerging communicable diseases is a regular part of the practice.

Since mid-June, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has reported 15 cases of measles in Oregon. All the cases are among unvaccinated persons. There are 12 confirmed and three presumptive cases. Two people have been hospitalized. Other cases are suspected but not yet confirmed.

The measles outbreak is spread among three counties: Marion, with nine cases; Clackamas with five; and Multnomah with one. Nine of the cases are younger than 10, four are ages 10 to 19, and two are 20 or older.

“Measles is the most contagious disease we know,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Public Health Division. “If you have a rash, please don’t drop in on an emergency department or your doctor’s office. Call ahead so that the doctor can arrange to meet you where others won’t be exposed.”

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. In developed countries in recent years, one or two out of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.

Measles vaccination is highly effective, and most Oregonians have been vaccinated, usually as children. Anyone who has received a measles vaccination at any time in their life has a low risk of getting measles. Risk is much higher for anyone who has not received measles vaccination and who may have been exposed to the disease.

Individuals are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply:

• Born before 1957
• Diagnosed with measles in the past
• A blood test confirms immunity
• Received two doses of the measles vaccine

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/diseasesconditions/diseasesaz/pages/measles.aspx