Latest news with #ChicagoDepartmentofPublicHealth
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Chicago public health officials stress importance of vaccines after 2 cases confirmed in Cook County
Doctors in the Chicago area are keeping a close eye on measles cases, checking to make sure more aren't reported, after the first two cases of the year were confirmed this week in Cook County. One local agency is stepping up their efforts in the fight against the potentially deadly disease. The Chicago Department of Public Health is increasing the use of public health nurse educators who go to Head Start programs and daycare centers in the city to educate parents and staff about the importance of the measles vaccination. Dr. Alexander Sloboda, medical director of immunizations at CDPH, said the MMR vaccine is the key to stopping the spread of measles. "With two doses of that vaccine, it's 97% effective in preventing a measles infection," he said. Sloboda said his agency has been taking extra steps to spread the word about the importance of getting children vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease, after a measles outbreak that started in Texas has grown to 884 cases nationwide, including three in Illinois – one in Chicago, another in the Cook County suburbs, and a third in southern Illinois. "We're trying to identify different groups that may have a bit more vaccine hesitancy or lower vaccination rates, and really specifically reach out to those groups and engage with those groups," Sloboda said. The Chicago Department of Public Health is focusing on children in pre-K settings. "That's daycare, childcare, early childhood education, because if they're 12 months old they should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine," he said. Sloboda offered insight into why measles cases are on the rise not just nationwide, but around the world. "Childhood vaccination rates have started to slightly decline, predominantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. CDPH has increased their efforts when it comes to educating parents and staff at childcare centers about the importance of measles vaccinations. "Data shows that nine out of ten people that are unvaccinated that are exposed to measles virus will become infected, but thankfully we have the vaccine. So, if you're vaccinated properly, you should have very little to worry about, even if exposed," he said. Chicago saw its own measles outbreak just last year, with 57 migrants, many of them unvaccinated, testing positive for measles in March and April 2024. "We had a congregate setting; a shelter where a lot of people were living in a slightly under-vaccinated population, and so that's where measles can quickly spread if people are not fully vaccinated and have that 95% population protection," Sloboda said. The highly contagious disease can also be deadly. Nationwide this year, two children and one adult have died from the disease. "You can get lung infections, you can get brain infections from measles, which can lead to complications. So, even if a child survives a measles infection, they could have complications that last the rest of their life as well," Sloboda said. If you've never been immunized against measles, getting the MMR vaccine before traveling is also very important. "Usually it takes between two to three weeks for the vaccine to take full effect. You have the vaccine; your body analyzes the vaccine, and then starts building that immunity with the white blood cells, the antibodies; and then by two to three weeks you have that full protection from the vaccine," Sloboda said. When it comes to full protection, Sloboda said the MMR vaccine offers a lifetime of protection against a person getting measles.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two Chicago area residents infected with measles, the latest in a growing measles resurgence
Two Chicago area residents have been diagnosed with measles, the first cases of the highly contagious disease identified in Cook County this year, according to health authorities. The new cases add to a growing resurgence of measles nationally, which has infected more than 880 people — mostly children — in 29 states since January, according to the latest counts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of the cases have been concentrated in West Texas, where a months-long outbreak has spread to nearby states and even neighboring Mexico. No cases of measles have been reported in Wisconsin this year, though some state health officials consider it only a matter of time before a resident becomes infected. The Chicago-area cases represent the closest identified cases to the Milwaukee-area this year. One of the two new cases is a suburban Cook County adult of unknown vaccination status who sought care at a hospital on April 28, according to a news release issued April 30 by the Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health. Another is an adult Chicago resident who developed a rash on April 25. That person previously received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine and had traveled internationally through O'Hare Airport in early April. Health officials recommend that international travelers ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before traveling. Measles, which is caused by a virus, is spread through the air and is highly contagious. It is characterized by a rash that spreads over the face and body, though other symptoms, such as fever, a cough and a runny nose, typically precede the rash by a few days, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the release, Chicago and Cook County health officials did not say how or where the two residents are believed to have contracted measles. The Chicago-area health departments are working to identify people who may have been exposed and they released a list of public locations where exposure may have occurred: Fittingly Delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, on April 21 O'Hare Airport, especially Terminal 1, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on April 22 and 23 Aldi, 7235 39th St., Lyons, Illinois, between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 25 Shell, 3901 S. Harlem Ave., Stickney, Illinois, between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 27 Mobil, 2945 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn, Illinois, between 10:20 a.m. and 1 p.m. on April 28 Health officials in Wisconsin have warned that Wisconsin is at risk of a measles outbreak similar to the one spreading in Texas, given that parts of the state have very low vaccination rates. "If and when — I think it's more of a 'when' — when measles is introduced into the state, we do have pockets of our population that are at extremely high risk," said Kirsten Johnson, secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, during a Q&A in early April. Last school year, less than 85% of Wisconsin kindergartners were up-to-date on the measles vaccine, compared to nearly 93% of kindergartners nationwide, according to a CDC report. Only Idaho and Alaska reported having lower vaccination rates against measles, though some other states did not submit complete data. Measles can cause serious illness in young children. In severe cases, the disease can cause life-threatening complications, such as brain swelling and pneumonia. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two Chicago area adults infected with measles, amid resurgence of disease
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cook County health officials report two new measles cases
CHICAGO (WGN) — Health officials in Cook County have confirmed two additional cases of measles, bringing the state's total reported cases to three. The Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday that one case involves a suburban resident, whose vaccination status is unknown. The second case involves a Chicago resident who, according to health officials, traveled internationally through O'Hare International Airport in early April. 'The individual had one prior dose of MMR vaccine,' health officials added. Both patients have been isolated since being diagnosed. In response to the confirmed cases, health officials listed the following points of potential exposure: Monday, April 21: Chicago Public Library – Independence Branch, 4024 N. Elston Ave. Monday, April 21: Fittingly Delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park Rd. Tuesday, April 22: O'Hare Airport, 10 a.m.–8 pm, especially Terminal 1 Wednesday, April 23: O'Hare Airport, 10 a.m.– 8 pm, especially Terminal 1 Friday, April 25: Aldi: 7235 39th St, Lyons, IL 6053, 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27: Shell: 3901 S. Harlem Ave., Stickney, IL 60402, 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 18: Mobil: 2945 S. Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402, 10:20 a.m.-1 p.m. More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch The news comes one week after Illinois health officials reported the state's first case, which stemmed from a diagnosis downstate in Marion. According to health officials, symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Symptoms can appear anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure. Last year, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 67 cases. Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGN's Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
30-04-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Illinois health officials confirm two measles cases in Cook County
April 30 (Reuters) - The Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed two measles cases in Cook County. These are the first two cases in Cook County, Illinois, this year. Keep up with the latest medical breakthroughs and healthcare trends with the Reuters Health Rounds newsletter. Sign up here. One case was identified as an adult who is a suburban Cook County resident, and whose vaccination status is unknown. Another case was identified in an adult Chicago resident who traveled internationally through O'Hare Airport in early April. The patient, who had one prior dose of the measles vaccine, had a rash that started on April 25 and has been isolated at home since being diagnosed.
CBS News
30-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
2 measles cases confirmed in Cook County: 1 in Chicago, 1 in suburbs
Two measles cases have been confirmed in Cook County amid the latest 2025 outbreak, public health officials announced Wednesday. They are the first two such cases in Cook County this year. One of the patients is an adult form an unspecified place in suburban Cook County, whose vaccination status is unknown, according to a joint release from the Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois departments of public health. The vaccination status of this person is unknown. The patient presented to an area hospital on Monday, April 28, and was quickly isolated, officials said. The other case involved an adults Chicago resident who traveled internationally through O'Hare International Airport in early April. This person had previously had one does of the MMR vaccine, found a rash on Friday, and has isolated at home since being diagnosed. The Chicago Department of Public Health has assembled a list of places where the Chicago patient went and where people might have been exposed. Monday, April 21: Chicago Public Library, Independence Branch, 4024 N. Elston Ave. Monday, April 21: Fittingly Delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park Rd. Tuesday, April 22: O'Hare International Airport, 10.a.m-8 p.m., especially Terminal 1 Wednesday, April 23: O'Hare International Airport, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., especially Terminal 1 Friday, April 25: Aldi: 7235 39th St, Lyons, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27: Shell: 3901 S. Harlem Ave., Stickney, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, Mobil: 2945 S. Harlem Ave, Berwyn, 10:20 a.m.-1 p.m. Anyone who may have been exposed should notify their health care provider if they are unsure about their measles vaccination status. Anyone who develops symptoms should notify their health care provider or a health care facility before going to a doctor's office or an ER, so as to ensure arrangements are made so no one is exposed. As of last week, there had been 884 measles cases in this current outbreak, which started in Texas. Chicago saw its own measles outbreak just last year — affecting in particular the migrant shelter in operation at the time in Pilsen. There were 67 cases reported in the March and April 2024 Chicago area outbreak altogether. Public health officials confirmed Chicago's first case of measles since 2019 on March 7, 2024. The next day, the city saw its first measles case at the since-closed Pilsen migrant shelter at 2241 S. Halsted St. A total of 57 migrants at the shelter ended up testing positive for measles during March and April last year. At the time, the Pilsen shelter was the city's largest shelter for asylum seekers, with approximately 1,900 migrants living there.
