Sallisaw, OK — The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has confirmed two new cases of measles and identified a new exposure site in Sallisaw, as the state grapples with an ongoing outbreak. According to OSDH, shoppers at the Walmart Supercenter located on W Ruth Avenue in Sallisaw may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus on April 18 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Health officials are urging individuals who were at the store during that time and who are either unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status to come forward. The department has provided an online form for people to submit their names and contact information. OSDH staff will reach out to those individuals between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, to provide further instructions and guidance on whether they need to take additional steps for their health and safety.
The outbreak continues to spread across Oklahoma, with the number of confirmed cases now at 15 as of Friday, April 25. This includes 12 confirmed cases and three probable cases of measles. Among the newly confirmed cases, one individual is reported to have received two or more doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. This marks the first time during this outbreak that a vaccinated person has contracted the disease. Health officials have emphasized that while the MMR vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles, no vaccine is 100% guaranteed to provide immunity.
The remaining 14 cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated, underscoring the continued importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles.
OSDH is expected to release updated case numbers and additional details on the outbreak by Tuesday, April 29.
Residents in Oklahoma, especially those in areas affected by the outbreak, are encouraged to check their vaccination status and to contact health officials if they believe they have been exposed. The OSDH has been working diligently to track and contain the outbreak, and they remain vigilant in monitoring the situation as it develops.
For more information or to report potential exposure, Oklahomans are advised to visit the OSDH website or use the contact form provided by the health department.
