DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — An outbreak of measles is officially confirmed in Douglas County.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said the outbreak includes at least four confirmed, linked cases. Health officials are working with the Douglas County Health Department to identify anyone who was exposed and offer vaccination to those in the community, especially those at high risk.
“Illinois is fortunate to have high vaccination rates overall that protect most Illinois residents from measles,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “However, there are still areas across the state with lower vaccination rates where people are at high risk. With almost 3,000 cases in the US so far this year, IDPH has been preparing and works closely with local public health and health care partners on strategies to reduce spread and minimize outbreaks. IDPH continues to urge clinicians to be attentive to pre-travel vaccination needs and consider a measles diagnosis in patients with consistent symptoms and alert their local health department immediately if they suspect a case.”
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Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but it is seeing a resurgence in recent years as immunization rates have dropped. It is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus and is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“The key to preventing measles is the highly effective measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles,” Dr. Vohra added. “I recommend that our Illinois residents make sure that they and their family members are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations.”
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be administered to unvaccinated people six months and older who are exposed to measles, but they must receive the shot within 72 hours of first exposure. In addition, an injection known as immune globulin can be provided to high-risk individuals who cannot receive the measles vaccine or who missed the 72-hour window, including infants, pregnant persons, or people who are immunocompromised.
People who are not immune or protected from measles are encouraged to get vaccinated in consultation with a health care provider. People are urged to get vaccinated at least two weeks before international travel or travel to areas with measles outbreaks.
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