Measles Case Confirmed In DuPage County First In 15 Years

DUPAGE COUNTY — DuPage County has reported its first case of measles in 15 years, according to the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD). County health official say the case is not apparently "linked to new arrival shelters in Chicago", but its source is not known.

DCHD has been tracking the case to determine its origin and notify anyone who may have been exposed. As of Saturday, no exposure sites had been designated in DuPage County, whereas officials have identified a number of exposure sites in Chicago.

Residents who are not vaccinated against measles are encouraged to get a vaccination, DCHD said. Vaccinated residents are not likely to acquire measles, per DCHD, but anyone who may have been exposed should be on the lookout for symptoms for up to 21 days.

Measles symptoms include:

• Respiratory infection
• Rash that first appears on the face
• High fever
• Cough, sore throat, runny nose

Measles may cause pneumonia or "other complications," DCHD said.

"With an increasing number of measles cases being identified, being up-to-date with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones," Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department, said in a news release.

Forker added, "Measles is highly contagious but thankfully, the MMR vaccine is effective at preventing measles and remains by far the best protection against measles for people of all ages."

As of April 15, there had been 64 measles cases reported throughout Illinois.