Travelers moving through O’Hare’s Terminal 5 and shoppers along Niles’ busy Golf Road strip may have been exposed to measles this week, according to Cook County health officials, who are now racing to track down anyone who might have crossed paths with an infectious visitor.
The Cook County Department of Public Health says the individual, who has measles, passed through Terminal 5 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on March 24, then later visited two Niles stores and an urgent care clinic in Mount Prospect. Investigators are working to identify and notify people who were in those locations during specific time windows.
Potential exposure times released by the county include:
- O’Hare International Airport, Terminal 5, on March 24 from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Fresh Farms, 8203 W. Golf Rd. in Niles, on March 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Marshalls, 8249 W. Golf Rd. in Niles, on March 26 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The same individual also visited Endeavor Health Immediate Care in Mt. Prospect on March 27. County health staff say they are working to contact anyone who may have been in specific areas of the clinic at that time, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Why Officials Are Sounding The Alarm
Measles is not subtle. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after that person has left a room. That means you do not need direct contact with the sick person to be at risk.
Symptoms can take up to 21 days to appear after exposure and usually start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash. People are typically contagious from four days before the rash shows up until four days after it appears, according to the CDC. The agency notes that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
What To Do If You Were There
If you were at any of the listed locations during the exposure windows and you are unvaccinated, under-vaccinated, or unsure of your vaccine status, health officials say your first move should be to call your healthcare provider. Do not just walk in. The idea is to let staff arrange an evaluation that keeps other patients from being exposed in waiting rooms or common areas.
Cook County public-health officials recommend getting an MMR shot if you are not fully vaccinated. You can schedule vaccination at a Cook County Health clinic by calling 312-864-1111, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health.
If, within three weeks of being at any of the listed locations, you develop fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, or a rash, contact your healthcare provider and tell them you may have been exposed to measles.
How This Fits Into The Bigger Picture
Public-health agencies have been reporting more measles activity in recent months, and state and federal officials are tracking cases and outbreaks across the country. Communities with lower vaccination rates are at greater risk for rapid spread, which is why local health departments keep stressing the same message: check your records and get up to date on shots if you are not.
For current national measles case counts and official guidance, see the CDC.
