Lane County Public Health officials announced Monday they have confirmed a second case of measles in Eugene.
A 21-year-old Eugene man was treated at Sacred Heart Medical Center May 26 with a fever and rash after he returned from a trip in Japan. He was diagnosed with measles.
After he arrived in Eugene May 22, he socialized with another Eugene man, also in his early 20s, public health officials said. The second man became infected May 28.
“They partied together the night the first young man arrived here from Japan,” said Dr. Sarah Hendrickson with Lane County Public Health.
Betsy Meredith, a Lane County Public Health nursing supervisor, said she fears more people will come down with measles.
“It is officially an outbreak because there has been transmission to at least one other person,” Meredith said. “It’s indicative there has probably been transmission to other people.”
Local health authorities have been working around the clock to contact hundreds of people who may have come into contact with the two men, Meredith said.
Although nurses told the second man to stay at home because he could spread the disease, he went to public places, Hendrickson said.
Officials said the man went to:
? WOW Hall, last Tuesday, Brother Ali concert, 10 p.m.
? Jameson’s Bar, last Wednesday, from midnight to 2 a.m.
? Sushi Station, last Wednesday, between 6 and 7 p.m.
“If you were at those places, please call us,” Hendrickson said. “You have been exposed to measles, and we need to know if you can get the measles.”
Lane County Public Health can be reached at (541) 682-4041.
Those who have been vaccinated and those who were born before 1957 are immune to measles, Meredith said.
Oregon law requires children to be vaccinated against measles, and most children get shots by the time they’re at least one year old, Meredith said. Parents can decline for their children to be vaccinated for religious reasons.
About 4 percent of Lane County schoolchildren do not receive the vaccination, Meredith said. Those who have serious diseases such as cancer might not be able to handle the vaccine.
Officials said college students should check their immunization records again just to be sure.
University Health Center Director Tom Ryan said roughly 400 students don’t have the vaccine. He said students can check their records at the health center.
“There shouldn’t be many who don’t have the vaccine, but if anyone is questioning if they’re up to date, we can certainly check for them,” Ryan said.
Hendrickson said those who are infected should stay at home for at least three weeks after exposure.
“Otherwise these people are likely – just as the second case – to expose a greater number of our friends and neighbors and fellow citizens in this county to this disease,” Hendrickson said.
Lane County Public Health officials said they are unsure how much the cases will cost the department. Employees have been contacting citizens they think may have been in contact with the two men.
“It’s the work we’re supposed to do,” Hendrickson said. “We’ll do it. We’ll find the resources to do it because our job is to protect the community. However, this shows you just how ill-equipped we might be for dealing with an illness such as a pandemic influenza case.”
Officials said the man who was first diagnosed with measles may have exposed people at:
? United Flight 6406 from San Francisco to Eugene, May 22
? Shoji’s Restaurant, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., May 22
? Safeway, 145 E. 18th Ave., in the floral department and the checkout area, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., May 22
? Sundance Natural Food Store, between 6:35 p.m. and 6:50 p.m., May 27
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]
Have you been exposed?
Two men with measles have frequented public places in Eugene recently. If you were also in those places, contact Lane County Public Health at (541) 682-4041.
? WOW Hall, last Tuesday, Brother Ali concert, 10 p.m.
? Jameson’s Bar, last Wednesday, from midnight to 2 a.m.
? Sushi Station, last Wednesday, between 6 and 7 p.m.
? United Flight 6406 from San Francisco to Eugene, May 22
? Shoji’s Restaurant, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., May 22
? Safeway, 145 E. 18th Ave., in the floral department and the checkout area, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., May 22
? Sundance Natural Food Store, between 6:35 p.m. and 6:50 p.m., May 27