20-03-2025
State reports two probable measles cases in Claremore, Owasso
The ongoing Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico measles outbreak has made it to Rogers County.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported March 14 on two probable measles cases it detected in Rogers and Tulsa counties. The department said they were associated with the wider outbreak that has sickened 320 people and killed at least one child this year in the three states, according to CNN Health.
The state health department said people who shopped at the following locations at the corresponding times may have been exposed:
— Kohl's, 12405 E. 96th St. N. in Owasso. Feb. 27, 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.
— Aldi, 9259 N. Owasso Expressway in Owasso, Feb. 27, 4:20 - 7 p.m.
— Walmart Supercenter, 12101 E. 96th St. N. in Owasso, Feb. 27, 5:15 - 8 p.m.
— Sam's Club, 12905 E. 96th St. N. in Owasso, Feb. 27, 7 - 9:21 p.m.
— Sprouts Farmers Market, 9601 N. 133rd E. Ave. in Owasso, Feb. 27, 7:30 - 10:02 p.m.
— Lowe's Home Improvement, 1746 S. Lynn Riggs Blvd. in Claremore, March 2, 7 - 9:27 p.m.
"Possibly exposed individuals who are not immune through vaccination or prior infection should exclude themselves from public settings for 21 days from the date of their potential exposure," the department said in its report.
The state presumes anyone born before 1957 to be immune to measles since its spread was so common then.
Erica Rankin-Riley, spokesperson for the department, said two doses of the MMR vaccine grant 97% immunity against measles. Children typically receive their first dose from ages 12 to 15 months and their second from ages 4 to 6.
According to state data for the 2023-2024 school year, about 91% of Rogers County kindergarteners had received both MMR doses.
Neither individual who potentially spread measles in Rogers County was vaccinated, the department said. Rankin said health care providers in Oklahoma must report probable measles cases to the state.
"Whenever the epidemiologist-on-call receives a notification that meets the criteria for public health investigation, an investigation is immediately initiated," Rankin said.
People who think they may have measles can contact the epidemiologist at 405-426-8710 every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. They can check at whether they have received the vaccine.
