(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — As measles case numbers rise in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois, Lake County health officials on Saturday said the first case of measles has been confirmed in a resident.
Lake County Health Department (LCHD) officials said they are working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus that causes measles.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has been in close contact with the LCHD as its investigation continues.
In a press release, the LCHD said it has identified two exposure locations in public settings: Consume Restaurant, located at 569 W. IL-22 Telser Road in Lake Zurich; and the emergency department at Advocate Condell Medical Center, located at 801 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville.
Officials said anyone who was at the restaurant on March 13 – 16 or March 19 might have been exposed to measles, though exact exposure times varied per day.
The potential exposure window at Advocate Condell Medical Center is anytime after 5:56 p.m. on March 20 to March 21 at 4:01 a.m.
LCHD officials reminded residents that those who are vaccinated against measles are most likely protected and don’t need to take further action at this time. Unvaccinated individuals, though, were encouraged to contact the LCHD communicable disease team at 847-377-8130.
“Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent the spread of measles,” said LCHD Medical Epidemiologist Dr. Sana Ahmed. “This is a good reminder to make sure that you are up to date on all your vaccines.”
Any unvaccinated individual who may have been exposed can get a free measles vaccine at any health provider, hospital or pharmacy.
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