11-03-2025
OSDH reports Oklahoma's first two measles cases confirmed, no risk to public
Oklahoma officially has its first confirmed measles cases, with two cases in the state, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The cases are being reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as "probable cases" as they are associated with the Texas-New Mexico outbreak and reported experiencing symptoms consistent with measles.
OSDH reported that the individuals took precautions by "immediately excluding themselves from public settings and staying home throughout their contagious period."
Related: FAQs about Measles: How to protect yourself, info about the vaccine.
By secluding themselves, OSDH said they prevented the risk of transmitting measles to the public.
'When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community," said Kendra Dougherty, Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Response at OSDH.
OSDH said they wouldn't release where the two individuals are located but stated there is no public health threat with the cases.
The best way to defend against measles is to get the measles vaccine. The vaccine is usually given alongside the rubella and mumps vaccine, effectively naming it the MMR vaccine. It is recommended for all children ages 12 to 15 months and again at 4-6 years old.
If someone does not receive a second dose of the vaccine from ages 4-6, it may be administered at any age thereafter. The two doses of vaccine normally provide lifelong immunity.
If you do not know your vaccination status, check your shot records with the OSDH and look for your MMR Vaccine records.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's first two measles cases confirmed, state health dept. says
