Nine measles case reported in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Department of Health updated that there are nine measles cases among unvaccinated people in Northeastern Oklahoma.

Seven cases are confirmed with symptoms consistent with the national standard definition and have a confirmatory test result and there are two more cases showing symptoms but lacking the confirmatory test result, according to Erica Rankin-Riley, OSDH spokesperson.  

Two of the previously reported probable cases were updated to confirmed cases due to linkage with a close contact that had confirmatory measles testing. Investigations for the five new cases found no additional public setting exposures, Rankin-Riley stated.

“All cases are linked through exposures to household or extended family; and initial cases reported exposure to the measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico,” she said. “At this time, no cases have resulted from exposure to public settings.”

Public exposures have been limited due to most of these individuals recognizing their exposure and excluding themselves from public settings.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) worked collaboratively with the Cherokee Nation, health care community and the Tulsa Health Department (THD) to complete the necessary steps when these measles cases were identified in northeastern Oklahoma, Rankin-Riley stated.

“When a measles case is identified, it is essential for an individual to share any requested information when contacted by the health department,” she said. “This step is crucial for conducting a timely public health investigation and prompt public notification to protect the health of Oklahomans.”

Individuals should be aware of measles activity occurring in Oklahoma and neighboring states, Rankin-Riley statedd. Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are expected to be 97 percent effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93 percent effective.