Highly Contagious, Serious Airborne Virus Reported in Illinois

There have been 45 cases reported of this highly contagious airborne virus that can potentially be deadly, according to the CDC.

Only 83 Percent of the World's Children Are Vaccinated Against Virus

According to the Centers for Disease Control data, by the time they have their first birthday at least one dose of the measles vaccine has been administered to 83 percent of the children across the globe in the year 2022.

This is the lowest percentage in 16 years, reports the World Health Organization.

Outbreak of Measles Reported at an Illinois Shelter for New Arrivals

The Illinois Department of Public Health urgently works to contain a measles outbreak at a Chicago shelter for new arrivals. As of the time this article was published, there have been 8 reported cases of measles in Illinois, according to the press release from IDPH.

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As of March 7, 2024, a total of 45 measles cases were reported by 17 states according to the Center for Disease Control. Cases started to spike in February with 3 national cases reported on February 4, 13 cases on February 11, and 9 on February 18.

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Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri were the only Midwestern states reporting a case of measles as of the time this article was published.

What Are the Symptoms Of Measles?

According to the CDC, it usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks after being infected before you start seeing symptoms of measles.

High fever, runny nose, cough, and red eyes are how symptoms usually begin, and then between 2 and 3 days after symptoms start "tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth."

3 to 5 days after symptoms start a measles rash follows with flat red spots that appear on the "face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet," according to the CDC.

While the vast majority of Chicago and Cook County residents are vaccinated for measles and not at risk, we strongly support the call from the Chicago Department of Public Health for all unvaccinated residents to get the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine now. Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications for those that are non-immunized. -IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra

To see the latest Measles case count in Illinois, CLICK HERE.