1st Measles Case Reported In Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A Lake County resident has tested positive for measles, and health officials are now urging residents who visited the same locations as the individual to make sure they've been vaccinated and possibly seek medical attention to prevent the disease from developing.

On Saturday, the Lake County Health Department confirmed the measles case. Health officials say this case is related to the ongoing measles outbreak in Chicago.

As of Wednesday, 33 cases of measles had been confirmed in the city of Chicago. The cases are the first in Illinois since 2019, according to city officials in Chicago. Another case had been confirmed in Will County.

Since confirming the first Lake County case, health officials have been working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the individual, including those who visited a Lake County bar and restaurant in recent week or the facilities where the Lake County resident sought medical care.

Anyone who was at the following locations on the dates and times below might have been exposed to measles:

• Consume Restaurant, 569 W IL-22 Tesler Road, Lake Zurich:
  • From 1:58 to 11:10 p.m. on March 13
  • From 12:15 to 11:12 p.m. on March 14
  • From 11:12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on March 15
  • From 10:39 a.m. to 11:27 p.m. on March 16
  • From 1:42 to 5:34 p.m. on March 19
• The emergency department at Advocate Condell Medical Center, 801 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville
  • From 5:56 p.m. on March 20 to 4:01 a.m. on March 21

Anyone who was exposed and unvaccinated from the Advocate exposure should contact a healthcare provider or pharmacy to receive the MMR vaccine to prevent the measles, according to a news release from the health department.

Anyone who was unvaccinated, pregnant, an infant under 6 months old or immucompromised and exposed at either location may still be eligible to get immogolbulin to prevent disease and can contact their healthcare provider "as soon as possible" for more information, according to health officials.

What You Need To Know About Measles

Those who have been vaccinated against measles are likely protected and do not need to take further action, according to health officials. Exposed individuals should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and call the health department if symptoms develop.

Unvaccinated individuals who were at any of the locations above on the dates and times listed may have been exposed to measles and should contact the health department’s communicable disease team at 847=377-8130.

While cases of measles are exceedingly rare due to high vaccination coverage from childhood, reports of measles cases have recently been increasing internationally and in the U.S.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is extremely effective at preventing measles and remains by far the best protection against measles for people of all ages. However, measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous to those who are unvaccinated, especially babies and young children, according to the news release.

"Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of measles. This is a good reminder to make sure that you are up to date on all your vaccines," said Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. "If you don’t know if you have been vaccinated, ask your healthcare provider to find out if you need an MMR vaccine. If your child is 1 year old or older and has never received the MMR vaccine, contact your child's pediatric provider to discuss how your child can get caught up with their vaccines."

Measles is a serious respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever and is capable of leading to pneumonia and other complications. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, according to health officials.

The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.

If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

A first dose of MMR is recommended at 12 months of age and a second at 4 to 6 years of age, but it is never too late to get your MMR vaccine if you haven't already. Anyone who isn’t sure if they're vaccinated against measles should contact their healthcare provider or local pharmacy today.

Most health insurance covers the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccine. Insured persons should check with their provider or local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines.

To find a clinic near you, visit IDPH’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Finder, HRSA’s Health Center Finder, or call 2-1-1. For more information about measles and how you can protect yourself, visit the CDC website.

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