Lake County, Ill., confirms 1st measles case connected to recent rash of cases in Chicago

Gabriel Castillo
·4 min read
4

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — The recent rash of measles cases in Chicago has spread to the north suburbs after a new case was confirmed in a resident in Lake County on Saturday.

Officials from the Lake County Health Department confirmed that a resident had contracted measles and said that the newly reported case is connected to the recent rash of cases in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Department of Public Health’s most recent data, 26 cases of measles have been reported among Chicagoans in 2024, including four already in the current week, measured from Sunday (March 24) through Saturday (March 30).

The data is updated each day at 8 a.m., according to the Chicago Department of Public Health, and can be accessed HERE.

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Lake County health officials said the department is working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed and provided a list of locations and dates where exposure could have been possible.

Possible exposure locations/dates: 

Consume Restaurant at 569 W IL-22 Telser Road in Lake Zurich

  • Wednesday, March 13, between 1:58 p.m. and 11:10 p.m.

  • Thursday, March 14, between 12:15 p.m. and 11:12 p.m.

  • Friday, March 15, between 11:12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 16, between 10:39 a.m. and 11:27 p.m.

  • Tuesday, March 19, between 1:42 p.m. and 5:34 p.m.

Advocate Condell Medical Center – Emergency Department at 801 South Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville

  • Between 5:56 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, and 4:01 a.m. on Thursday, March 21

Health officials said anyone who is unvaccinated and believes they may have been exposed while at Advocate should contact a healthcare provider or pharmacy to receive an MMR vaccine on Saturday to prevent measles.

According to health officials, infants under six months old, those who are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised who believe they may have been exposed at any of the locations listed are advised to contact their healthcare providers as they may still be eligible to get immunoglobulin to prevent the disease.

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Those who feel may have been at any of the exposure locations are also advised to contact the Health Department’s Communicable Disease team at (847) 377-8130.

“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,” Lake County Health Department Medical Epidemiologist Dr. Sana Ahmed said. “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.”

Lake County health officials say they are in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the investigation into any potential exposures continues.

The newly reported case comes only a day after the City of Chicago reported two new cases.

Am I protected against measles?

Measles, which is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus, can spread easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Many in the United States are already protected.

Cook County Health warns of possible measles exposures at these 3 locations

The CDC said the measles vaccine, which has been used for over 50 years, is considered to be very effective. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus, and one dose is about 93% effective.

According to the CDC, 45 measles cases have been reported across the United States since January 1. In 2023 a total of 58 cases were reported across the U.S.

Those who received the vaccine are usually fully protected for life after about two or three weeks, according to the CDC.

While the vaccine has historically proven to be highly effective, the CDC said about three out of 100 who get the vaccine will still have measles if exposed.

For more information on how to get vaccinated, call Cook County Health at 833-308-1988.

Gabriel Castillo contributed to this report

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