A DuPage County resident was recently diagnosed with measles, the county’s first case since 2009. Health department officials said the case was not linked to Chicago’s immigrant shelters, and the source of the infection remains unknown. The individual was treated as an outpatient, and efforts are underway to identify and inform individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. To date, no exposure sites have been identified in DuPage County.
Measles is a severe respiratory infection known to cause symptoms such as a rash and high fever, which can lead to pneumonia and other health complications. Common symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads over the body. Those who have been vaccinated against measles are likely protected, but should be on the lookout for symptoms for 21 days. If any symptoms occur during this period, they should contact their doctor immediately.
According to Adam Forker, executive director of the DuPage County Health Department, keeping up with your measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination is key to protecting yourself and loved ones from measles. The MMR vaccine is very effective in preventing measles and is considered the best defense against the virus for individuals of all ages. To learn more about measles and vaccination recommendations, residents can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/indek.html. Additional information on measles cases in Illinois can be found on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
John Dodge is an experienced journalist from Chicago, who brings to his work expertise from print, television and online platforms.
