2003 Reportable Communicable Disease Summary

Measles

Measles is an acute, highly communicable viral illness, known for its red, blotchy rash that starts on the face and then becomes generalized. The rash is preceded by a febrile prodrome that includes cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, and sometimes photophobia and Koplik spots. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of serum IgM antibodies (in a patient who has not recently been immunized). Measles is no longer endemic in the United States; cases are occasionally imported. The 2003 cases of measles were imported from countries in Asia and Europe. The risk of exposure to measles in Oregon remains low.