A DuPage County resident has been diagnosed with measles, the first case in the county since 2009.
Health Department officials said the case does not appear to be connected to Chicago's new migrant arrival shelter and the source of the infection is unknown.
The person is receiving outpatient treatment and authorities are working to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. No exposure locations have been identified in DuPage County.
Measles is a severe respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever and can lead to pneumonia and other complications. Symptoms of measles usually include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.
People who have been vaccinated against measles are most likely to be protected and should monitor their symptoms for 21 days. If you develop symptoms during that time, you should contact your health care provider.
“With the number of confirmed measles cases on the rise, it's important to keep your measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination up to date,” said DuPage County Health Department Executive Director Adam Forker. “This is the best way to protect our loved ones.” “Measles is highly contagious, but thankfully the MMR vaccine is effective in preventing measles and remains the best protection against measles for all ages.”
For more information about measles and vaccination recommendations, residents should visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.
Information about measles cases in Illinois can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
