Yesterday, the Oregon Health Authority OHA alerted health care providers that measles was detected in Marion County wastewater in a sewage sample through routine testing on October 6, implying that at least one person in the county has measles.
Measles Virus In Marion County Wastewater
The precautionary health care alert, sent via the Health Alert Network (HAN), was issued after the positive sample collected on October 6 from a wastewater (sewerage) treatment plant in Marion County showed that at least one person is infected with the measles virus within the local area serviced by the wastewater treatment plant.
OHS confirmed that the positive detection may have come from a person simply traveling through the area, and does not show whether there is an ongoing risk to the community. Wastewater surveillance is an early warning to give communities a chance to prepare for seasonal and emerging infectious diseases.
Sewage flows into water systems whenever people flush a toilet, use a sink, or take a shower, and is then carried to local wastewater facilities. Everyone who uses the sewage system contributes to wastewater, and test results cannot be traced back to individuals…