The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reported Tuesday that it had identified nine measles cases, all among unvaccinated individuals in northeastern Oklahoma.

In its semi-weekly report, which is updated each Tuesday and Friday, the OSDH said seven cases has been confirmed and two were labeled as “probable.”

Confirmed means the patient shows symptoms consistent with the national standard surveillance definition and has a confirmatory test result or a link to a laboratory-confirmed case. In probable cases, the patient shows symptoms consistent with the national standard surveillance definition and lacks a confirmatory test result or a link to a laboratory-confirmed case.

Two of the previously reported probable cases were updated to confirmed cases due to linkage with a close contact that had confirmatory measles testing. Investigations for the five new cases found no additional public setting exposures.

All cases are linked through exposures to household or extended family; and initial cases reported exposure to the measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. At this time, no cases have resulted from exposure to public settings, according to the OSDH. No cases have been reported in Seminole County.

Public exposures have been limited due to most of these individuals recognizing their exposure and excluding themselves from public settings.

According to a news release, the OSDH worked collaboratively with the Cherokee Nation, health care community and the Tulsa Health Department (THD) to complete the necessary steps when these measles cases were identified in northeastern Oklahoma.

When a measles case is identified, it is essential for an individual to share any requested information when contacted by the health department. This step is crucial for conducting a timely public health investigation and prompt public notification to protect the health of Oklahomans.

Individuals should be aware of measles activity occurring in Oklahoma and neighboring states. Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are expected to be 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective.