Kane County is currently free of measles, but the health department is closely monitoring the outbreak in Chicago. The county has not reported a case of measles in five years, but officials are concerned about the high number of cases in the Chicago area over the past two months. Chicago has seen approximately 60 measles cases since March 4.
Outside of Chicago, two cases have been reported in suburban Cook County, one in DuPage County, two in Will County, and one in Lake County. In the state of Illinois, more cases of measles have been reported in 2024 than in the previous nine years combined.
The Kane County Health Department is also currently working with one person who may have been in contact with the disease. The individual is monitoring for symptoms but is not considered a high threat as they are likely protected by either a vaccine or previous infection.
Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles. Public schools in Illinois have robust immunization requirements, resulting in approximately 95% of children being vaccinated. The exceptions to vaccination are often for religious reasons.
Measles was nearly eradicated in the United States nearly 25 years ago, but outbreaks can still occur when people travel to countries with low vaccination rates and return infected. The disease is highly contagious, can linger in the air or on surfaces, and can lead to serious complications, particularly in children.
If someone suspects they may have measles, they are advised to stay home and call their doctor rather than going in person. Infected individuals can spread the disease further if they visit a doctor’s office, especially to those with weakened immune systems.
Doctors and labs are required to report measles infections to the local health department. The health department then determines who the infected person could have spread the disease to and develops a plan to mitigate the spread. Infected individuals may also be asked to quarantine to prevent further transmission.
