The largest Oregon measles outbreak in more than 30 years particularly endangers children less than five years old, according to a new health alert.
Oregon Health & Science University is warning that as the 31 cases of measles reported this year were of people who had not received the MMR vaccine targeting measles, mumps and rubella.
Unvaccinated infants or unvaccinated people with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable, according to the university.
“We know that measles is incredibly contagious and can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5, so the continued rise in cases is certainly cause for concern,” OHSU pediatrics professor Ben Hoffman, M.D. said in a statement. He also works at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and serves as president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Routine childhood vaccinations, including the two-shot series to protect against measles, are especially crucial as kids head back to school.”
