Two cases of measles have been reported in Cook County, and it looks like things are heating up in 2025. The Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health are on the case, folks.
So, here’s the deal. One of the cases is in an adult from suburban Cook County, but get this – we don’t even know if they got vaccinated or not. This person got taken care of at a local hospital on April 28 and has been isolated faster than you can say “measles.”
The other case is in an adult from Chicago who recently traveled internationally through O’Hare International Airport. They had only gotten one dose of the MMR vaccine, which officials are side-eyeing right now. This patient started showing a rash on April 25 and has been chilling at home in isolation ever since.
The health peeps are saying that anyone 12 months and older should make sure they have gotten two doses of the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before traveling internationally. Or, you know, show some other proof that they are immune to the measles.
Now, here are some places where you might have been exposed to the measles:
• Chicago Public Library – Independence Branch on Monday, 4/21/2025
• Fittingly Delicious on Monday, 4/21/2025
• O’Hare Airport on Tuesday, 04/22/2025, especially Terminal 1
• O’Hare Airport on Wednesday, 04/23/2025, especially Terminal 1
• Aldi in Lyons, IL on Friday, 04/25/2025
• Shell in Stickney, IL on Sunday, 04/27/2025
• Mobil in Berwyn, IL on Monday, 04/28/2025
If you think you might have been at any of these spots and you’re not sure if you’re vaccinated, you better hit up your health care provider for some guidance.
And if you start showing symptoms, let your health care provider know before you go in for help. We don’t want you spreading the measles to anyone else, do we?
Most people get vaccinated against measles when they’re kids, so the risk of catching it is pretty low. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are like 97% effective against measles and can give you immunity for life, or so the officials say.
Just so you know, the first dose should be given between 12-15 months of age, and the second between 4-6 years old. Stay informed, folks! And if you want more info about measles, you can find it here, not that you really need it, but hey, knowledge is power.
