Health

2 Measles Cases in Cook County Residents Confirmed, Health Officials Say

Two Cook County residents have been diagnosed with measles, Chicago Department of Public Health officials announced Thursday.

The cases are the first to be diagnosed in Cook County since March 8, 2024, when an outbreak of measles that began in a Pilsen shelter for migrants from the southern border sickened 67 people. There were no cases of measles diagnosed in Cook County between 2019 and 2024.

A suburban Cook County resident, whose vaccination status is unknown, was diagnosed on Monday after going to a local hospital.

The second case of measles was diagnosed in an adult Chicago resident who traveled internationally through O’Hare Airport in early April. The individual had received the first dose of the two-dose measles vaccine. This patient developed a rash on Friday and has been isolated at home since being diagnosed, officials said.

“Chicago is no stranger to measles after our outbreak last spring and having contained it once we know we can do it again,” CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said in a statement. “The (measles) vaccine is an extremely effective tool for combatting illness and saving lives in our community, it’s never too late to get vaccinated and protect yourself from measles.”

Health officials said Wednesday evening that an infected person visited the Independence Park branch of the Chicago Public Library at 4024 N. Elston Ave. on April 21, but said Thursday morning that person was not at the library while infectious.

Individuals at the following locations might have been exposed to measles, according to Chicago and Cook County health officials:

April 21:

• Fittingly Delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park Road

April 22:

• Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at O’Hare Airport, especially Terminal 1

April 23:

• Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at O’Hare Airport, especially Terminal 1

Friday:

• Between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Aldi, 7235 39th St., Lyons

Sunday:

• Between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Shell, 3901 S. Harlem Ave., Stickney

Monday:

• Between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Mobil, 2945 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn

Individuals who may have been exposed should notify their doctor if they are unsure about their vaccination status.

If an exposed individual develops symptoms, they should notify their doctor or a health care facility before going to a medical office or emergency department for evaluation to ensure that special arrangements can be made to prevent other patients and medical staff from possible exposure.

A measles case involving an adult in southern Illinois was confirmed by state health officials on April 23, making that the first confirmed measles case in the state this year, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The case comes as more than 800 cases of measles have been confirmed nationwide so far this year, which is nearly three times the number of cases the U.S. had for all of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of late last week.

Measles is a serious respiratory infection that is capable of leading to pneumonia and other complications. Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes and can take from seven to 21 days to show up after exposure.

Health officials said the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, or the MMR vaccine, is highly effective and remains the best protection against measles.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]

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