The fear of measles at the Mayor Airport: what to know about potential exposure
The Illinois Public Health Department (IDPH) sounds the alarm in a possible exposure to measles at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
In a press release on April 30, the department identified two cases of measles confirmed in Cook County.
These are the first two cases in the county, after the first confirmed case of the State in an adult in southern Illinois on April 23.
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A case was identified as an adult from the suburban cook county with an unknown vaccination state that sought medical attention in a local hospital on April 28.
Travelers at the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on August 13, 2024. Illinois’s Department of Public Health warned about possible exposure to measles in O’Hare this week. (Al Drago/Bloomberg through Getty Images)
The second case was identified in an adult from Chicago who traveled internationally through the O’Hare airport in April.
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The patient, who had a previous dose of the MMR vaccine (measles-MOUSPS-RUBELLA), reported an start of eruption on April 25.
Both people have been isolated at home since they were diagnosed.
As of May 1, there have been 935 total measles cases confirmed in the United States
The State Health Department listed the following locations where there was a potential for public exposure:
- Monday, April 21, 2025: Appropriately delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park RD.
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025: O’Hare Airport, from 10 am to 8 pm, especially terminal 1
- Wednesday April 23, 2025: O’Hare Airport, from 10 am to 8 pm, especially terminal 1
- Friday April 25, 2025: Aldi: 7235 39th St, Lyons, Il 6053, from 10 am to 12:30 pm
- Sunday April 27, 2025: Shell: 3901 S. Harlem Ave., Stickney, IL 60402, from 10 am to 12:30 pm
- Monday April 28, 2025: Mobil: 2945 S. Harlem Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402, 10:20 am to 1 pm
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IdPh urges all people over 12 months of receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine before traveling internationally.
The State Health Department listed O’Hare airport as a location of the possible exposure to measles on April 22 and April 23. (Vincent Alban/Bloomberg through Getty Images)
People who may have been exposed must monitor symptoms and notify their medical care provider if they are not sure of previous vaccines.
If symptoms arise, they must notify the medical care provider before arriving at an installation to guarantee “special agreements” that will prevent others from becoming infected, according to health officials.
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Measles is very contagious and easily spreads through the air, IdPh said, and added that 90% of people close to an infected person will also be infected if they do not immunize against him.
As of May 1, there have been 935 total measles cases confirmed in the US, according to CDC data.
“We encourage any person who is not vaccinated or subvacunated, to speak with their medical provider and take appropriate measures to catch up on the recommended shots,” said IDPH director. (Istock)
The director of IDPH, Dr. Sameer Vohra, wrote in a press release statement that, although Illinois public health officials are working to avoid greater propagation, being completely immunized “remains the best and most effective way for everyone to protect themselves and those who love.”
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“The MMR vaccine is safe and effective,” he said. “We encourage any person who is not vaccinated or subvacted, to speak with their medical provider and take appropriate measures to catch up on the recommended shots.”
Dr. Kiran Joshi of the Cook County Public Health Department added that there is a resurgence of measles in the United States, despite the effects of the MMR vaccine.
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“The wrong information has contributed to decrease vaccination and fed rates,” he said.
“The MMR vaccine has been in use for more than 50 years, is highly effective and has protected millions of lives.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for News Digital.