Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) reported an addition measles case in an infant associated with the Palatine, IL KinderCare bringing the state total of the contagious virus to 14.
Thirteen of the 14 cases are associated with a KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine, which include 11 children and two adults.
CCDPH states at this time, the overall risk of getting measles is low and transmission is not widespread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in their measles outbreak update Friday that from January 1 to February 13, 2015, 141 people from 17 states and Washington DC were reported to have measles.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes a rash and a fever. It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. With a sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious in the air and on infected surfaces for up to two hours. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days after.
Vaccination is critical to curbing the ongoing transmission of measles and it’s the best way to protect yourself and your family. Residents who have not received measles-containing vaccine should get a dose of MMR vaccine, a combination vaccine that provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 99 percent effective in preventing measles. The first dose is recommended at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.
