The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) today reported a local case of measles and provided a list of possible exposures. Posted on Facebook, the information regarding the sick person has gone viral, and has been shared almost 5,000 times as of Thursday evening.
Although most people are vaccinated and therefore “not at high risk,” the CUPHD said, the information about the presence of measles in Champaign-Urbana sparked concern across the community.
CUPHD made clear in its Facebook post that vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent measles.
“Many people have no idea what measles are or how serious they can be because VACCINATION WORKS,” the CUPHD Facebook post said. “Due to the fad of not vaccinating, vaccine-preventable diseases are once again becoming a concern.”
Furthermore, the CUPHD wrote, “In 2011, the WHO estimated that 158,000 deaths were caused by measles. This is down from 630,000 deaths in 1990. As of 2013, measles remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in the world. In developed countries, death occurs in one to two cases out of every 1,000 (0.1–0.2%).”
Those most at risk include:
- Babies too young to receive vaccines
- Unvaccinated children and adults
- Pregnant women
- The elderly
- Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with asthma, chronic illness, or undergoing treatment for cancer
- Individuals who are allergic to vaccine components
Measles is a contagious ailment that can, in severe cases, result in serious illness or death. According to CUPHD, “Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. Your child can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left. An infected person can spread measles to others even before knowing he/she has the disease — from four days before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.”
Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If individuals develop symptoms of measles, CUPHD recommends they call their health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
CUPHD did not identify its ill client. CUPHD did provide the following information about possible exposure locations and dates.
POSSIBLE EXPOSURE LOCATION
Saturday, January 12
3:00 PM-close Texas Roadhouse
204 N Country Fair Dr, Champaign
Sunday, January 13
3:00 PM-Midnight Texas Roadhouse
204 N Country Fair Dr, Champaign
Monday, January 14
5:30 PM-8:30 PM
County Market
2901 W Kirby, Champaign
Monday, January 14
8:00 AM -noon
University of Illinois Mumford Hall
1301 W Gregory Dr, Urbana
Monday, January 14
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
University of Illinois Psychology Building
603 E Daniel St, Champaign
Monday, January 14
9:00 AM- 1:00 PM
University of Illinois David Kinley Hall
1407 W Gregory Dr, Urbana
Monday, January 15
9:00 AM -1:00 PM University of Illinois Agricultural Engineering Science Bldg
1304 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL
Tuesday, January 15
3:30 PM-6:30 PM
Illini Union Bookstore
809 S Wright St, Champaign
Thursday, January 17
8:00 AM-11:00 AM University of Illinois McKinley Health Center
1109 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana
Friday, January 18
2:00 PM-5:00 PM University of Illinois McKinley Health Center
1109 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana
Saturday, January 19
11:30 AM-3:30 PM Carle Hospital
Emergency Department, Urbana
NOTE: All of these places are safe to visit at this time.