Questions are answered by experts at the Oregon Health Authority, other state agencies or community partners. Questions and answers are republished by permission.

Q: Is there still only one measles case [in Oregon]? – Bob, Corvallis

A: Yes, still just the one case, confirmed June 19. With no known spread one month later, we are crossing our fingers that it was an isolated case. We continue to advise people with a rash or other measles-like symptoms to contact their provider and arrange to be evaluated in a place where they will not expose other people. We also continue to advise providers to consider measles as a possible diagnosis, and to test for it when appropriate.

We will of course alert the public if there are additional cases, and you can also follow our online Weekly Communicable Disease Report, selecting measles from the drop down menu, to stay up to date.

Nationally, the measles outbreak of 2025 has slowed down. As of July 15, CDC reports 1,309 confirmed cases in 39 states. Of that, 13% has been hospitalized, and three people have died – an adult in New Mexico and two children in Texas.

Is measles a concern in Oregon?

At age 62, I am vulnerable to measles?

Q: What is the water quality in Emigrant Lake in Ashland, Oregon? – Peg, Ashland

A: The latest testing data show the water quality in Emigrant Lake is safe. We had issued an advisory there in early May, which was lifted May 9. The advisory was issued after partners confirmed that photo and satellite imagery showed potentially harmful algae blooms near popular recreation sites. Follow-up testing showed that cyanotoxins were below harmful levels for recreational use, which allowed the advisory to be lifted.

You can monitor all harmful algae bloom advisories in Oregon here, and you can also sign up for emails or text alerts here.

In addition, Rogue Riverkeeper conducts and reports bi-weekly testing for e. coli bacteria in several rivers and lakes throughout the Rogue Basin, including Emigrant Lake, where the most recent samples were taken July 14.

Rogue Riverkeepers submits its water quality and safety information to “Swim Guide”—a national tool which you can use to look for safety information submitted by participating affiliates throughout Oregon and beyond.

Oregon is also one of the few states that have rules requiring public water systems to routinely monitor for cyanotoxins, and because Emigrant Lake supplies drinking water to a county park, Jackson County tests Emigrant Lake’s water every two weeks between May 1 and Oct. 31 before it enters the drinking water treatment plant.

People can search for local drinking water testing results in their neighborhood using this interactive map.

We like to remind people that regardless of the most recent testing, water conditions can change quickly so it’s important to recognize the signs of a bloom. People should stay out of the water, and keep their pets out of the water, if the water looks foamy, scummy, like spilled paint, green, blue-green, pea-green, brownish red, or where green globs can be seen in the water, or where mats are growing on rocks or sand or accumulating along the shore.

We encourage people to report blooms or related human or animal illnesses directly to OHA using forms found on our website.

If you have questions about health topics for the Oregon Health Authority, submit your question here. Although the agency is unable to answer every question, it will try to address those of interest to a broad audience. Please understand that OHA is unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.