SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health
(IDPH) Director Nirav Shah today confirmed one case of measles in
Illinois. A suburban Cook County resident became ill in mid-January and
test results were positive for measles.
“This case in Illinois is a reminder of the importance of
immunizations,” said Director Shah. “With only 10 cases reported in
Illinois over the past five years, many parents may not have experienced the
severe illness that can be caused by measles. Immunizations are vital to
protect not only each child, but the community as a whole.”
The
Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), with assistance from IDPH, is
conducting contact tracing and informing all potential contacts of their
possible exposure.
“Measles
is highly contagious and a person with no immunity can become infected simply
by being in the same room with someone who has the disease,” said CCDPH Senior
Public Health Medical Officer Dr. Rachel Rubin. “To eliminate the potential
spread of the disease, it is imperative that we notify the public of any
possible exposures to residents.”
Potential exposures in Illinois may have occurred to:
·
Patients and visitors at the Northwest Community
Hospital emergency room (800 West Central Road, Arlington Heights) on January
14th from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and January 17th from 4
p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
·
Customers at the Supermercado Guzman (1611 North
Baldwin Road, Palatine) on January 12th and 13th between
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
·
Patients and visitors at the Vista Clinic (1585
North Rand Road, Palatine) on January 16th between 12:30 p.m. to 4
p.m.
A
person who was potentially exposed and is experiencing symptoms a fever of 101
F or higher, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without rash, should call
the Cook County Department of Public Health at
847-818-4020 as well as their healthcare provider. These individuals should not
go to their doctor’s office or the emergency room as they could infect others
around them.
Measles
is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore
eyes, runny nose, cough and a characteristic rash. Measles can cause
severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing or
sneezing and can remain in the air and on surfaces up
to two hours. Infected people are contagious from four days before
their rash starts through four days afterwards.
Vaccination
is highly effective at preventing measles infection and is required for all
Illinois school children who are not exempt due to religious or medical
reasons.
At
this time, there is no identified link between this measles case and the
multi-state outbreak of measles associated with Disneyland.
###
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Communications
Manager
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDPH
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