Detection of measles in Oregon wastewater has health officials here on alert.

The Oregon Health Authority on Oct. 17 notified health care workers that measles was found in a sewage sample taken Oct. 6 in Marion County. That means at least one person with measles was in that area.

Although there is no immediate danger to Southwest Washington, Clark County Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick said he is “significantly concerned” about the rise in measles cases fueled by lower vaccination rates .

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air when a person who is sick breathes, coughs, sneezes or speaks. The virus can live on surfaces or in the air for as long as two hours.

“If everybody were vaccinated, we would eradicate measles from the face of the earth, just as we d

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