Tulsa Measles Case Under Investigation

The Tulsa Health Department is investigating a confirmed case of the Measles in Tulsa County. 

Employees at the Tulsa Health Department said there hasn't been a confirmed case of the measles in Tulsa County since the 1990s.

The Tulsa Health Department is setting up a two-day clinic so that anyone who is behind on their Measles shots can come get vaccinated for free. 

"Our number one priority is protecting the health of the public," said Leanne Stephens with the Tulsa Health Department.

It's a step the department is taking to keep the community healthy.

The Health Department said Measles was identified in a person who had returned from Oklahoma after returning to Oklahoma from international travel. The Health Department later said it's an ongoing investigation as to where the person contracted the illness and "it has not been confirmed where the individual contracted the virus even though the investigation indicates the source of exposure could be travel related," and that they don't know if it was contracted overseas.

"Everyone who is potentially exposed to that is at risk for getting the measles unless they are protected from the Measles already," Stephens said. 

The Measles is a respiratory virus that spreads through the air. That is why the health department made a list of 10 places where the infected person visited.

• Southern Hills Country Club - 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 30
• Church of Saint Mary - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 30; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1
• Prairie Fire Pie - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 30
• Tulsa International Airport United and American Airlines desks - 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 1
• Whole Foods Market on 41st Street - 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 1
• William Building - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 2
• Boston Deli - 12 to 2 p.m. April 2
• Laureate Institute for Brain Research - 3 to 7:30 p.m. April 2
• Walgreens at 6040 South Yale Avenue - 5 to 8 p.m. April 2
• Warren Clinic Tower elevators, waiting room, X-ray and laboratory collection services - 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 3.

The Health Department wants anyone who might have been exposed to give them a call. 

"We would always encourage people to check their immunization records to ensure that they are up to date on their MMR vaccine," said Stephens. 

She said if you have already gotten both of your MMR vaccines, if you are over the age of 60, or if you have already had the Measles, you have nothing to worry about.

"We don't want to cause public panic, but we do want people to understand the importance of vaccines and preventing disease and limiting their risk for exposure," Stephens said. 

Employees at the Tulsa Health Department said it takes about 10 days for symptoms of the Measles to show up.

Anyone concerned about a possible exposure should contact THD’s measles information hotline at 918-595-4500. It's also offering a Measles immunization clinic to provide free MMR immunizations at the James O. Goodwin Health Center at 5051 South 129th East Avenue on Friday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.