No Measles Cases Reported In Kane Co. As Health Officials Offer Tips

KANE COUNTY, IL — Health officials are urging residents in Kane County to be aware of symptoms for measles amid an outbreak that has sickened people in the city of Chicago and Lake, Cook and Will counties.

As of Thursday, there have been no reported cases of measles in Kane County. But officials with the Kane County Department of Health are using residents to be aware of measles symptoms and to be sure you and your family has been vaccinated, according to a news release from the health department.

Measles is a highly contagious disease with serious complications that could include hospitalization, long-term illness and death. Measles infection causes a rash, high fever, coughing, runny nose and pink eye.

Airborne droplets can be present up to two hours after an infected individual has left the room, and anyone who may be experiencing measles-like symptoms should call your healthcare provider immediately for instructions before visiting a healthcare facility, according to the news release.

People who are vaccinated against measles usually do not experience symptoms, but those who are not vaccinated should talk to their healthcare provider.

If you are exposed to someone who has measles and are not vaccinated, or if you are not sure of your vaccination status, you should stay home and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Immunization records recorded in the Illinois immunization registry can be accessed using the Illinois Department of Public Health Vax Verify portal.

Children and those aged 6 months and older should get a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to help protect them from serious illness, health officials said. Children under five years of age, adults over 20 years of age, pregnant people, and people with immunocompromised health are most at risk of measles complications.