The state’s first measles case was confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health Wednesday afternoon.
According to a press release issued by IDPH, laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of measles in an adult in far southern Illinois. This is the state’s only IDPH-confirmed case.
“This is not considered an outbreak at this time. IDPH will update the public should there be any notable developments,” the release stated.
In order to determine whether any further patients were exposed, IDPH is searching for possible exposure sites, such as the clinic in southern Illinois where the patient sought treatment. According to the announcement, medical personnel “are considered immune” and were donning masks.
Since a measles outbreak in Chicago in early 2024 that led to 67 cases, there have been no new cases reported.
The symptoms of measles, which include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, can appear seven to twenty-one days after infection. Anyone who has been exposed to measles and is not immune should report any symptoms to their local health authority.
Before visiting their workplace, urgent care centre, or hospital emergency department, those who are experiencing measles symptoms should call or email their healthcare provider so that appropriate measures can be made to stop the spread of the illness.