Possible Measles Exposure in Chicago
CHICAGO — Health officials are alerting the public about a potential measles exposure that occurred at O’Hare Airport and two stores in the northern suburbs last week.
A confirmed measles case was reported for an individual who visited Terminal 5 at O’Hare on March 24 between 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., according to the Cook County Department of Public Health.
Additionally, this person was at Fresh Farms, located at 8203 W. Golf Road in Niles, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and at Marshalls at 8249 W. Golf Road during the hours of 8 to 9:30 p.m. on the same day, as indicated by the county health department.
On Friday, the same individual also visited the Endeavor Health Immediate Care Center at 199 W. Rand Road in Mt. Prospect.
People who were present at these locations during the specified times may have been exposed to measles, a highly contagious virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual has left.
Symptoms of measles can include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. It typically takes seven to 21 days for symptoms to manifest after exposure, according to health officials.
If anyone develops these symptoms, it is advisable to contact their doctor or an emergency department before visiting in person to ensure safety measures can be implemented.
Understanding Measles
While measles is rare in Chicago due to high vaccination rates, there has been a rise in cases across the United States in recent years.
Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, emphasized that being fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine is the best way to guard against infection and prevent the spread of the virus. This vaccination is widely available for anyone aged one and older.
“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. We urge anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated or who needs an update to consult their healthcare provider,” Vohra added.
Measles poses significant risks, particularly to unvaccinated individuals, infants, and young children, as per health department officials.
The virus spreads readily through the air, with the potential to remain infectious in a room after an infected person has been there.
Complications from measles can result in severe health issues such as pneumonia, seizures, hearing loss, permanent brain damage, and even death.
Dr. Kiran Joshi, interim COO of the Cook County health department, noted that “misinformation has played a role in the drop in vaccination rates and has fueled recent outbreaks” of measles. He reiterated that the MMR vaccine has been effective and has saved countless lives over the past 50 years.
