PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An increased spread of the measles in the metro area has people changing their shopping and dining habits.
Officials are confirming three new exposure sites at restaurants in Gresham and West Linn and a grocery store in Portland, the Safeway on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. Some people are taking extra steps to protect their families.
“Hearing that there was measles in this area is enough to make me turn around and call them. And tell them to send my prescription to another store,” said one shopper wished to remain anonymous. ” It’s not worth taking it home to my children and then take it to their school. So I’m going to step away and go to a different Safeway now.”
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A Safeway store on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard was the site of a measles exposure. April 3, 2026 (KOIN).
The other locations health officials are warning people about are two local restaurants, Pho.com in Gresham and Lark Cafe in West Linn.
“I would definitely avoid spots that have had exposure,” said Cynthia Star, a Safeway shopper. “I’m hoping I had my vaccines. I definitely tried to get the vaccines I needed earlier this year.”
The Oregon Health Authority confirmed a total of 13 measles cases reported in Oregon this year. They said this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“We’re seeing measles detected in wastewater in counties that don’t have any measles cases reported or that don’t have any current kind of measles cases reported at the time. So, we know that measles is much more widespread in the state,” Oregon’s State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said.
OHA has confirmed at least one of these cases contracted the virus at one of these three locations. If a person has both doses of the vaccine, the CDC says it is highly unlikely for them to catch the measles. But OHA said they continue to see vaccine rates decline.
“With just three months behind us, and having 13 cases, we think that 2026 will likely surpass 2024, which is our highest number of cases in many years,” Dr. Sidelinger said.
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