CHICAGO (CBS) — The Chicago Department of Public Health warned Friday evening that there have been dozens cases of measles in the city in recent weeks – and not all of them are connected to migrant shelters like some of the others the most well-documented at an early stage.
“While we have made great progress in combating the spread of measles in our newcomer shelters, measles is still present in Chicago and we are seeing cases in the community that are unrelated to the newcomer response,” said Dr. Olusimbo, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “Simbo,” Ige said in a press release. “We need everyone — whether a newcomer or a longtime Chicago resident — to make sure they and their family members are up to date on their vaccinations. Too many Chicagoans remain unvaccinated against this highly contagious virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases.”
A total of 63 cases of measles have been confirmed in Chicago this year, with one new case this week, according to the city’s measles dashboard.
On Friday, Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) closed her office at 5707-11 S. Wentworth Ave. in Englewood – claiming that a child had been there the day before with a possible case of measles. Taylor’s office will reopen Monday.
A Clean and Green event on Saturday has been cancelled.
Symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, coughing, runny nose and red, watery eyes. If infected, individuals can develop symptoms up to 21 days after exposure and become contagious to others from four days before the rash appears until four days afterward.
City officials said last week The number of measles cases decreased after public health officials administered about 14,000 doses of the vaccine since early March.
