Illinois identifies first measles case since 2019, public health officials say

Illinois public health officials said Friday they have confirmed the first case of measles in the state since 2019 and urged Illinoisans to make sure they are vaccinated against the disease.

The infected person was exposed to the virus overseas and was not vaccinated, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

State and Cook County public health officials are identifying possible exposure locations between Oct. 5 and Oct. 13, when the infected person would have been contagious.

Public Health Director Sameer Vohra said people who have been vaccinated against measles are not at substantial risk and urged those who are not vaccinated to get their immunizations.

“Two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles,” Vohra said in a release. “However, as we saw this week, it still can affect those who are unvaccinated.”

The Cook County Department of Public Health first reported the case Oct. 10 and the state confirmed it the next day, according to the release. The last confirmed cases of measles in Illinois were in 2019, when state officials identified nine cases. measles has made a comeback since it was first declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

measles spreads through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes or when a person comes into contact with an infected person’s mucus or saliva, according to state public health information.

Symptoms of measles include a rash that spreads from the face and neck about two weeks following exposure and a high fever starting about 10 days after exposure. People with measles may also have a runny nose, coughing and red, watery eyes. Infected may begin to show symptoms between seven and 21 days after they are exposed to the virus.

State public health officials said those who show symptoms of measles should contact a health care provider by phone or email before seeking treatment in-person.