2026 Oregon measles cases have already far surpassed 2024 peak

By the numbers: The 2026 case count as of Thursday surpassed the previous peak of 27 cases in 2024, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

• Four cases have been identified in the last week and 15 over the last month, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
• 2025 saw just one case.

Zoom out: Most of the cases have been clustered in Multnomah County, though wastewater testing has shown the disease is also present in Washington, Polk, Marion and Klamath counties.

What they're saying: The uptick in cases is straining health officials' ability to respond, Multnomah County spokesperson Dennis Theriault told the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

• "Traditionally, a measles case was an immediate emergency," he said. "With the sustained increase in cases and reduced funding for public health, we do not have the resources to respond in the same way."

Between the lines: Last school year, almost 11% of kindergarteners had nonmedical vaccine exemptions, up from almost 7% in the 2021–2022 school year, per state health officials.

• Doctors say a 93% vaccination rate is necessary to prevent outbreaks.