Illinois: Measles Reported

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Source: http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=138329
2 confirmed cases of measles in IL

Posted: Friday, May 23, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD -- State health experts have confirmed two cases of measles in Cook and DuPage counties. Now, they're encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Measles are caused by a virus and can cause damage to the ears and eyes- it can even be deadly.

Symptoms include a high fever, rashes on the face and neck, coughing and watery eyes.

Children are especially vulnerable.

Experts say kids are required to get two shots before they hit kindergarten age.

Adults born before 1957 are considered immune but if adults want them, they need to get 2 shots as well.

Measles vaccinations are offered at health departments in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

Kids in McLean county are covered if they meet public aid qualifications.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-measlesvaccinatio,0,6346925.story

2 measles cases confirmed in Illinois

Associated Press 5:41 PM CDT, May 23, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State health officials say they've confirmed a second case of the measles in the state.

A school-age boy was recently diagnosed in DuPage County. Earlier this year, a man visiting from Switzerland had measles.

Officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health are reminding the public to get vaccinations.

Measles is no longer a prevalent disease in the U.S. But it is in many other countries, especially in Europe.

This year 95 cases has been reported nationally since January 1st. That's the highest numbers in the same time period since 2001.

Measles is highly infectious and can cause death in rare cases. It is spread through direct contact and through droplets in the air.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.pjstar.com/health/x1218084532/New-measles-cases-found-in-DuPage-County
New measles cases found in DuPage County

Journal Star
Posted May 30, 2008 @ 03:31 PM
Last update May 30, 2008 @ 03:51 PM
SPRINGFIELD ?

The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed seven school-age children tested positive for the measles today in DuPage County.

The health agency said their initial investigation shows the children were not vaccinated for the disease but added they were still looking into the matter. Health officials said the number of unvaccinated people - many of them young children - has grown over the years allowing the disease spread once again.

"There is a small but growing number of people choosing not to vaccinate their children. I want to stress the importance of vaccinations as they are the best defense against illnesses, like measles, which in severe cases can lead to death," Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, wrote in a prepared statement.

Measles, which infects about 20 million worldwide every year, is a highly contagious disease that spreads through droplets from the mouth, nose or throat. Typical symptoms are a cough, sour throat, redness or irritation around the eyes, a fever and a rash that usually begins on the head and moves downward. Those who think they may be infected should contact their doctor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced at the beginning of May that between January 1 and April 25, they've seen 64 cases of measles this year, the highest number for the same time period since 2001. The cases are being reported from nine different states - including one from Chicago - with the majority coming from New York City. Officials said the rise can be attributed in part to overseas travelers catching the virus and bringing it back to America.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/carygrove/news/1010008,pp-measles-061708-s1.article

Updated 6/17: Measles cases increase among unvaccinated children

June 17, 2008
By JOANNA BRODER

The United States is facing the largest number of reported measles cases since 1996, including more than a dozen cases in the Chicago area.

Atotal of 103 confirmed cases of measles nationwide were reported recently to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thirteen cases have occurred in Illinois -- 12 in DuPage County and one in Cook County (a man traveling from Switzerland). The cases have primarily affected unvaccinated school children.

Cases have also occurred in 14 other states plus the District of Columbia.

Dr. Ed Pont, a pediatrician in Elmhurst and the president of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Elk Grove, said that the surveillance system in DuPage County did a good job identifying the upsurge in cases.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to stop this before it gets much more widespread," he said.

Ninety-five percent of the latest measles cases nationwide occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, said CDC spokesman Curtis Allen.

With more than 90 percent of people in the United States vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella, measles cases are not initiated in the United States, but rather they start when the disease is imported from other countries, Allen said.

The U.S. cases are linked to outbreaks in Israel and Switzerland which have resulted in cases imported into the United States, according to the CDC Web site.

Measles is a highly contagious disease spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms can include rash, fever, cough and runny nose. More uncommonly the disease leads to serious complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and even death, according to the CDC.

A person who has been vaccinated is unlikely to contract measles during an outbreak. Those who are most susceptible have either not been vaccinated or are undervaccinated. (See related story for vaccination recommendations.)

Getting vaccinated does not just protect an individual, it helps protect a community. As long as a community has high immunization rates -- typically around 90 percent -- the chain of transmission is broken and an outbreak cannot occur, Allen explained.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of such pockets has been increasing throughout the country in recent years, so when pockets of unimmunized people start popping up, Allen said, outbreaks can occur.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://chicagoist.com/2008/06/23/measles_in_nw_burbs.php

June 23, 2008
Measles In NW Burbs

Six kids in the northwest suburbs have contracted measles, so the Cook County Department of Public Health is reminding everyone that "vaccinations are the safest and most effective means to prevent serious illness."

Measles is highly contagious?90 percent of susceptible contacts become infected?and in developed nations, about 1 in 1,000 measles patients dies from the infection; in developing countries, that rate can be as high as 1 in 4. Around 1 million children die from measles every year. [CDC, NBC 5]

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.beepcentral.com/story.aspx?story=24493

Measles outbreak in suburbs worries health officials

Rob Olmstead | Daily Herald
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Northwest suburban Cook County has been hit by 11 cases of measles in the last two months ? 11 more than it?s seen in the last 13 years combined, the Cook County Department of Public Health announced Monday.

All 11 Cook cases involved home-schooled children age 18 months to 14 years old whose parents chose not to have them vaccinated, said Sean McDermott, spokesman for the department.

Cook is mirroring DuPage County, which has had 14 cases so far this year, said DuPage health department spokesman David Hass.

Between the two counties, the region is accounting for 25 out of Illinois? 26 cases this year, with downstate Franklin accounting for one, said Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

?In general, it appears that our region is experiencing an uptick,? said McDermott.

Chicago and the South suburbs have not had a single case.

Although McDermott did not know the specific reasons the parents of those infected chose not to immunize them, the Internet is rife these days with suggestions that vaccines may be linked to rising rates of autism.

But study after study has failed to show any link between the two, said Catherine Counard, assistant medical director for communicable disease control in Cook County.

In fact, a U.S. study by Dr. Loring Dales showed that the number of autism cases increased even when the number of measles/mumps/rubella vaccines declined over the same period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While many fear that the mercury preservatives in vaccines may account for autism, vaccine makers removed mercury in all but influenza vaccines in 2001, and there was still no change in autism rates, the CDC Web site said.

The autism-vaccine rumor began when the scientific community began studying autism and looked at vaccines as one possible explanation, only to find that explanation a non-starter, Counard said. But even though the scientific community has found no link, the rumor persists.

?It has never been shown (a link between vaccines and autism) and there have been many, many studies looking at this,? said Counard.

?We need to move on to look at what?s really causing ? autism? while still getting children vaccinated, she said.

The CDC speculates that the link persists in the public?s mind because the vaccine is typically given around 12-15 months of age ? the same age that children with autism should be reaching developmental milestones. Parents notice that their children aren?t progressing as normal and associate the two, the CDC?s Web site notes.

But because the measles vaccine isn?t typically given until 1 year of age, that also leaves a large portion of the population susceptible to the highly contagious disease, McDermott noted.

And Counard said most people are infectious four days before any rash appears, and four days after it disappears. Should the person come into contact with infants not yet inoculated, chances are that infant will become infected, because measles can be transmitted through the air no touching is needed.

[?The shame is that they?re putting others at risk. It?s a community decision that they?re making, not a personal decision (to not vaccinate),? said Counard.
About 2 in 1,000 cases of measles result in death and 1 in 1,000 cases can cause encephalitis.

Cook health officials declined to identify the hometowns of those affected. All the cases have been in the past two months.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=214789&src=1

Lake Co. sees first measles case in 13 years
By Madhu Krishnamurthy | Daily Herald Staff Writer

An 11-year-old girl is the first reported measles case in Lake County health since 1995, health department officials said Thursday.

The victim is from an unidentified western Lake County town. Health officials said the girl had not been vaccinated and suffered fever and a rash. Three siblings also are suspected to have measles as they have developed fever and rash and have not been vaccinated. Health officials recommended the children stay in isolation.

Measles is a highly-contagious disease caused by a virus. It can spread by air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by direct contact with infected nose or throat secretions.

"Those people who choose not to vaccinate put themselves at risk," said Victor Plotkin, Lake County Health Department epidemiologist. "(Measles) used to be uncommon, but now with this increase we may see more cases. That's why we want the community to be aware. Our public health message is this is a safe and effective vaccine so get vaccinated."

This year, 31 measles cases have been reported in Illinois, a majority from Cook and DuPage counties.

Northwest suburban Cook County has seen more measles cases in the last two months than in the last 13 years combined. The cases involved home-schooled children, age 18 months to 14 years old, whose parents chose not to have them vaccinated.

Plotkin said most of the measles cases in Illinois and nationwide involve people who were not vaccinated or under-vaccinated, or the illness was imported from abroad.

"People who choose not to have their children vaccinated, they need to be aware of signs and symptoms," Plotkin said.

Parents need to watch for a combination of fever, rash, and one of the three Cs: cough, common cold, and conjunctivitis.

Health officials recommend notifying the physician of symptoms before visiting the doctor's office so as not to infect others. Those with compromised immune systems may not exhibit a rash.

 

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Re: Illinois: Measles Reported

Source: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/grayslake/news/1043269,G3-measles-071008-s1.article

Updated 7/7: Measles reported in Lake County, 1st in 13 years

July 7, 2008
Recommend (1)

By JOHN ROSZKOWSKIjroszkowski@pioneerlocal.com

Lake County Health Department reports the first confirmed measles cases in the county in 13 years, reflecting a disturbing trend of increased measles cases throughout the state and country.

County health officials say five cases of the measles have been confirmed so far, with all of the cases in one family in western Lake County.

An 11-year-old girl who lives in the western part of the county tested positive for measles after becoming ill on June 17 and developing a rash on June 20. The girl's four siblings also became ill and are considered secondary cases.

The cases are the first confirmed measles cases in Lake County since 1995.

Leslie Piotrowski, communications manager for the Lake County Health Department, said the town where the girl lives is not being released to protect the family's anonymity.

Shawn Cesario, a nurse epidemiologist for the health department, said the children were home schooled and had not received measles vaccinations.

Cesario said the children had fevers and developed rashes but did not have to be hospitalized. "She and her siblings were very fortunate they didn't have any more serious complications," she said.

"I don't think people realize that it (the measles) has the potential to be a lot more dangerous than chicken pox and it's very, very contagious," she said. "So the big message is the way to prevent outbreaks in the community is by vaccination."

In Illinois, the number of measles cases have spiked so far this year.

For the first six months of 2008, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports 27 confirmed measles cases statewide, according to state health department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold. Between 2000-2005, there were between one to three cases a year of measles in Illinois, with no cases in 2006, she said. The number of statewide cases for 2007 were not immediately available.

As of May 23, the Centers for Disease Control had confirmed 103 cases nationwide, the highest number of cases for the same period since 2001, according to the state health department.

Measles symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and running nose with a rash that begins on the face and spreads throughout the body. Occasionally, a person with measles can develop more serious complications such as encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or pneumonia and in rare cases it can result in death.

Cesario said measles was very common during the 1950s and 1960s until measles vaccinations began and virtually wiped out the disease in the United States.

However, in recent years, more parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. In some cases, parents may not want to vaccinate their children for religious reasons, and in other cases there are misconceptions that measles vaccinations can cause autism or multiple sclerosis, Cesario said.

But Cesario said the measles vaccinations are very safe and are generally recommended for all children unless there's a compelling medical reason not to vaccinate, such as a strong allergic reason to eggs.

Children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR), the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between four and six years of age.

Further information regarding measles can be obtained by visiting the Centers for Disease Control web site at www.cdc.gov or by calling the health department's communicable disease program at (847) 377-8130.