Health officials announced on Wednesday that a confirmed case of measles was found in a Chicago resident and another in a suburban resident of Cook County.
The Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health have reported the first two measles cases this year in Cook County. The agencies are working together to investigate the situation and to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Officials from the Village of Park Forest are closely monitoring the situation and encouraging residents to take precautions by getting vaccinated. Health officials recommend that all individuals aged 12 months and older who plan to travel internationally ensure they receive two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine at least two weeks before their trip or provide other evidence of immunity.
According to the Cook County Health Department, symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. They can appear 7 to 21 days after a person is exposed to the virus.
Health officials said anyone experiencing symptoms of measles should call their doctor or an emergency department before going in person to ensure that staff can take precautions to protect others.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that one-fifth of states are currently experiencing active measles outbreaks. They project that the number of cases nationwide could exceed 900 by Friday.
The CDC has confirmed 884 measles cases as of now, which is three times the total reported for all of 2024. The outbreak, which has been ongoing for three months in Texas, accounts for most of these cases, with 663 confirmed as of Tuesday. Additionally, the outbreak has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Park Forest officials said there aren't any known measles cases in the Village, so residents should be cautious now that there are two confirmed cases in Cook County.