MEDFORD, Ore. (May. 15, 2026) — Jackson County health officials said measles has been detected for the first time in local wastewater testing, prompting renewed calls for residents to check their vaccination status amid concerns of limited community spread.
In a public notice issued this week, Jackson County Public Health said a positive wastewater sample collected May 6 from a Jackson County treatment plant showed low but detectable levels of the measles virus. Officials said the finding marked a rapid increase from previously non-detectable levels and represents the first detection since local wastewater monitoring for measles began in October 2025.
Several measles cases have recently been reported in the Portland metropolitan area, though no confirmed measles cases have been identified in Jackson County at this time.
Health officials said the wastewater detection suggests at least one person in the area served by the wastewater system was infected with measles and that limited spread could be occurring in the community. However, they emphasized the results do not indicate sustained community transmission.
Wastewater surveillance cannot identify individuals because anyone using a bathroom connected to the sewage system contributes to testing samples, officials said.
Public health authorities urged residents to review their immunization records, noting measles is among the world’s most contagious diseases and can cause severe illness in both children and adults.
Officials said approximately one in 10 measles patients requires hospitalization, and the disease can lead to life-threatening complications. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, commonly known as the MMR vaccine, remains the safest and most effective protection against infection, according to health officials.
Most people born before 1957 are generally considered immune. Residents uncertain about their vaccination status were advised to contact a health care provider or Jackson County Public Health.
The Jackson County Public Health Immunization Clinic is offering MMR vaccinations for children and adults. Appointments and nurse consultations are available by calling 541-774-8209.
Symptoms of measles typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, or red eyes, followed by a rash that spreads down the body. Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. A rare but serious complication, encephalitis, causes inflammation of the brain.
Federal health data show that in recent years, one to two out of every 1,000 measles cases in the United States have been fatal.
Health officials advised anyone who suspects they may have measles to isolate immediately and contact a doctor or emergency room before arriving so medical staff can take precautions to prevent exposure to others. Patients are also advised to remain home for four days after a rash develops.
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