First case of measles identified in Lake County resident, health officials warn public of exposure

The first case of measles has been identified in a Lake County resident and officials are warning people who were exposed at a hospital in Libertyville and a restaurant in Lake Zurich.

The Lake County Health Department announced Saturday afternoon that they had identified the first recent case of measles in a Lake County resident.

A case investigation determined that the case is related to the ongoing outbreak in Chicago, which has seen 17 confirmed cases this year.

Approximately 65 measles cases have been reported in Illinois since 2010.

The health department said they are working to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to the infected person.

The health department also said they have identified two exposure locations in public settings where the infected person had been recently.

The person was at Consume Restaurant in Lake Zurich from 1:58 p.m. to 11:10 p.m. on March 13, 12:15 p.m. to 11:12 p.m. on March 14, 11:12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on March 15, 10:39 a.m. to 11:27 p.m. on March 16 and 1:42 p.m. to 5:34 p.m. on Tuesday.

The person also was in the emergency room at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville from 5:56 p.m. on Wednesday until 4:01 a.m. on Thursday.

Anyone who was at either location on those dates may have been exposed to measles, according to the health department.

Health officials say those who have been vaccinated against measles are protected and do not need to take further action.

Unvaccinated individuals potentially exposed should contact the health department’s communicable disease team at 847-377-8130.

“Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of measles. This is a good reminder to make sure that you are up to date on all your vaccines,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, the Lake County Health Department’s Medical Epidemiologist.

“If you don’t know if you have been vaccinated, ask your healthcare provider to find out if you need an MMR vaccine. If your child is 1 year old or older and has never received the MMR vaccine, contact your child’s pediatric provider to discuss how your child can get caught up with their vaccines,” Ahmed said.

Health officials say measles is a highly contagious disease with serious possible complications including hospitalization, long-term illness and death.

Health officials say children and those aged 6 months and older are recommended to get a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to help protect them from serious illness.

Children under five years of age, adults over 20 years of age, pregnant people and people with immunocompromised health are most at risk of measles complications.

Measles infection causes a rash to appear alongside a high fever, diarrhea, coughing, runny nose and eye and ear infections.

Health officials say someone who is infected can spread the disease to other people before noticing any symptoms, especially in the four days before and after the rash develops.

Individuals with a history of prior infection or vaccination who have received the full series of measles-mumps-rubella vaccines are 97% protected and are unlikely to contract measles, according to the health department.

Health officials say people should cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, regularly wash their hands, stay home when sick, keep distance from those who may be ill and clean things that are touched often.