Health officials said the child passed through the main hospital lobby and by Suite 1010 (Surgical and Procedural Services) on their way to outpatient testing at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, 12251 S. 80th Ave., Palos Heights.
The virus can linger in an area for up to two hours and can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Cook County health officials are working to identify and notify people who may have visited the lobby, Suite 1010 and outpatient testing area, between the hours of 4:30 to 7:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune or are unvaccinated will also become infected with the measles virus.
For People Who May Have Been Exposed:
- People who may have been exposed should check with their health care provider if they are unsure about prior vaccination. The health care provider will determine the need for testing if symptoms develop.
- If an exposed person develops symptoms, they should call a healthcare provider before going to a medical office or emergency department for evaluation to ensure that special arrangement can be made to prevent patients and medical staff from possible exposure.
- People that are unvaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and are exposed should talk with their doctor about getting MMR vaccine. It is not harmful to get MMR vaccine after being exposed to measles, mumps or rubella and doing so may prevent measles.
- Most people are vaccinated against measles routinely in childhood and are not at high risk. The best defense against measles is vaccination. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles and generally provide lifelong immunity. The first dose should be given between 12-15 months of age; the second between the ages of 4-6 years old.
- Protect Yourself from Misinformation- Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination. Vitamin A supplementation does not prevent measles infection. It can help reduce the severity of measles symptoms — particularly in malnourished children or those with vitamin A deficiency—but only after infection has occurred. Relying on vitamin A instead of vaccination puts individuals and communities at risk of infection, complications, and disease spread.
Unvaccinated individuals who do not have a healthcare provider are encouraged to contact Cook County Health at 312-864-1111 to schedule a vaccination appointment or reach out to a federally-qualified health center.
Chicago Department of Public Health offers free MMR vaccinations for anyone who needs them, regardless of insurance status, at CDPH immunization clinics throughout the city. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is highly encouraged. Create an account and register for an appointment at Getvaxchi.chicago.gov.
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