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Yesterday, the Douglas County Health Department confirmed positive measles cases in the county… They are now working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to investigate and hopefully protect other residents, including those directly affected.
IDPH and staff at the Douglas County Health Department are conducting disease investigation and contact tracing to identify anyone who may have been exposed, and those deemed to have had significant exposure will be contacted directly.
Measles is highly contagious. It’s a respiratory illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include: high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a red, blotchy rash that typically starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. Health Department officials say anyone who believes they may have symptoms consistent with measles should stay home and call their healthcare provider before showing up at a medical office, clinic, or emergency department, so precautions can be taken to prevent exposing others.
The Douglas County Health Department is asking for residents to review their vaccination records and make sure they’re up to date on the “MMR” vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella,) stating that just two doses provide about “97% protection” against measles.
With the news of active measles cases and the subsequent investigation, if you think you might have been exposed, be sure to report it! Anyone with questions can contact Administrator Amanda Minor at amanda.minor@douglascountyil.gov or Director of Nursing Stacy Shonkwiler at stacy.shonkwiler@douglascountyil.gov, or reach the Douglas County Health Department by phone at 217-253-4137.
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