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 “This case in Illinois is a reminder of the importance of
immunizations,” said Director Shah. “With only 10 cases reported in
Illinois over the past five years, many parents may not have
experienced the severe illness that can be caused by measles.
Immunizations are vital to protect not only each child, but the
community as a whole.”
The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), with assistance
from IDPH, is conducting contact tracing and informing all potential
contacts of their possible exposure.
“Measles is highly contagious and a person with no immunity can
become infected simply by being in the same room with someone who
has the disease,” said CCDPH Senior Public Health Medical Officer
Dr. Rachel Rubin. “To eliminate the potential spread of the disease,
it is imperative that we notify the public of any possible exposures
to residents.”
Potential exposures in Illinois may have occurred to:
• Patients and visitors at the Northwest Community Hospital
emergency room (800 West Central Road, Arlington Heights) on January
14th from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and January 17th from 4 p.m. to
10:30 p.m.
• Customers at the Supermercado Guzman (1611 North Baldwin Road,
Palatine) on January 12th and 13th between 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Patients and visitors at the Vista Clinic (1585 North Rand Road,
Palatine) on January 16th between 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
A person who was potentially exposed and is experiencing symptoms a
fever of 101 F or higher, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or
without rash, should call the Cook County Department of Public
Health at 847-818-4020 as well as their healthcare provider. These
individuals should not go to their doctor’s office or the emergency
room as they could infect others around them.
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Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that
causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and a
characteristic rash. Measles can cause severe health
complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
Measles is transmitted by contact with an infected person
through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air and on
surfaces up to two hours. Infected people are contagious from
four days before their rash starts through four days afterwards.
Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles infection
and is required for all Illinois school children.
At this time, there is no identified link between this measles
case and the multi-state outbreak of measles associated with
Disneyland.
For more information about measles, visit
http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbmeasles.htm.
[Melaney Arnold, Illinois Department
of Public Health]
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