IDPH Reports First Measles Case of 2025 in Southern Illinois
IDPH encourages Illinoisans to ensure they are
up-to-date on vaccinations
[April 24, 2025]
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is
reporting the first confirmed measles case of 2025 in Illinois. The
case, involving an adult in far southern Illinois, was confirmed through
laboratory testing on April 23. This is the only case IDPH is aware of
and this is not considered an outbreak at this time. IDPH will update
the public should there be any notable developments. The risk of
community transmission for the general public in Illinois remains low.
IDPH is working with local health officials to identify all potential
exposure locations. The clinic in southern Illinois where the patient
sought care is working to identify any possible exposed patients and
check immune status of those individuals. All exposed healthcare staff
were wearing masks and are considered immune.
Anyone exposed and not immune to measles should stay alert for any signs
and symptoms of measles such as rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and
red, watery eyes, and notify their local health department if they
become symptomatic.
Illinois has had no other reported cases of measles since an outbreak in
Chicago in early 2024 that resulted in 67 cases. However, IDPH has been
closely monitoring the outbreak in Texas and New Mexico that has
resulted in more than 680 confirmed cases, including three deaths, two
of them children. Nationally, the CDC is reporting 800 cases of measles
have been confirmed in more than 25 jurisdictions around the United
States, more than double the national total in 2024.
“This first reported case of measles in Illinois in 2025 is a reminder
to our Illinois residents that this disease can be prevented with
up-to-date vaccination,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “With
hundreds of cases being reported nationally, we have been working
closely with our local public health and health care partners to prepare
for any potential measles cases in Illinois. IDPH is urging medical
providers to consider a measles diagnosis in patients with consistent
symptoms and alert their local health department immediately if they
suspect a case.”
Most people are vaccinated routinely in childhood and are not at high
risk of measles. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated
including infants – initial measles vaccine is recommended at 12-15
months – or people who can’t get vaccinated because of other health
concerns. Individuals who think they have been exposed should check with
their health care provider about protection through prior vaccination or
the need for vaccination.
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After exposure to someone with measles, symptoms can take from seven
to 21 days to show up. Individuals who develop symptoms of measles
should contact a health care provider by phone or email BEFORE going
to a medical office or emergency department. It is important to
share specifically that you have a concern that you may have
measles. Special arrangements can be made for your evaluation while
also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible
infection.
IDPH advises that for people traveling internationally or to a U.S.
state with a measles outbreak, it is especially important to check
vaccination records. Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals
should ideally receive their vaccine at least two weeks prior to
travel to an area with a high risk of measles.
“The key to preventing measles is the highly effective
measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of measles vaccine
are 97% effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Vohra. “I
recommend that our Illinois residents make sure that they and their
family members are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other
age-appropriate immunizations.”
As part of IDPH’s preparations for potential cases of measles, the
department recently unveiled a new data dashboard to help school
officials and members of the public assess the potential severity of
any school outbreaks of measles, should one occur in Illinois. The
new
Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard makes it easy for the
public to find out the measles vaccination rate in any school in
Illinois, public or private, and to determine the risk of a child
being exposed to measles if a case is introduced in their school.
IDPH stresses the importance of ensuring everyone in your family is
up to date on their immunizations. Since the COVID-19 pandemic,
vaccination rates in the United States have dropped, increasing the
likelihood of more cases of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Individuals can protect themselves and their communities by doing
their part and ensuring their families are up to date on vaccines.
For more information about measles, contact your health care
provider, or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health
webpage on measles or the CDC’s
measles site.
[Illinois Dept. of Public Health] |
