Chicago Measles Outbreak: 65 Cases Reported as Health Officials Urge Vaccinations and School Monitoring

Evergreen Park, Illinois United States of America
A measles outbreak in Chicago region has resulted in 65 reported cases as of April 18, 2024.
First reported case in DuPage County since 2009 with source of infection unknown.
IDPH and CDPH urging schools to review immunization records and keep lists of unvaccinated students.
Illinois has reported a total of 62 measles cases as of March 2023, majority falling sick are children under age of 5.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause fever, coughing, rash, and conjunctivitis.
Recent case identified at Sam's Club store in Evergreen Park, IL. Anyone who visited between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on April 9 may have been exposed.
Recent Chicago area outbreak represents most infections in at least two decades with 59 cases occurring at a downstate Illinois college in 1994.
U.S introduced measles vaccine program in 1963 which almost eliminated the disease.
Chicago Measles Outbreak: 65 Cases Reported as Health Officials Urge Vaccinations and School Monitoring

A recent outbreak of measles in the Chicago region has prompted health officials to urge schools to monitor students' vaccination status and encourage shots to reduce the risk of infections. As of April 18, 2024, a total of 65 cases have been reported in Chicago and its surrounding areas.

The most recent case was identified at a Sam's Club store in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Anyone who visited the store between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on April 9 may have been exposed to measles.

The individual responsible for the exposure is a Chicago resident with no known link to recent measles outbreaks at migrant shelters in Chicago.

DuPage County health officials confirmed the first case of measles in the county since 2009 on April 15. The source of infection for this case is unknown.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can result in fever, coughing, rash, and conjunctivitis. It circulates in a room for up to two hours after an infected person sneezes or coughs.

The U.S introduced the measles vaccine program in 1963 which almost eliminated the disease. Prior to that nearly 90,000 cases were reported across Illinois in 1938.

Recent Chicago area outbreak represents the most infections in at least two decades with the highest comparable tally of 59 occurring at a downstate Illinois college in 1994.

Illinois has reported a total of 62 measles cases in the Chicago region as of March 2023. The majority of those falling sick are children under the age of 5.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) have been working diligently to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

To protect against measles, it is recommended that individuals ensure they are up-to-date with their MMR vaccinations. The vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Schools are being asked to review immunization records for all students and keep lists of those who are not fully vaccinated. This information would be needed if students must be excluded from school during an outbreak.

As of April 18, new cases of measles in Chicago have gradually declined with three reported this week compared to 22 the week of March 24.

The IDPH and CDPH are urging educators to follow up with families of students who are unvaccinated and provide them with information about the disease, the vaccine, and exclusion policies.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • No information on current vaccination status of individual responsible for exposure.
  • Unknown source of infection for first DuPage County case.

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Possible measles exposure identified at suburban Sam's Club

NBC Chicago News NBC Chicago Friday, 19 April 2024 18:46
  • Unique Points
    • A possible measles exposure was identified at a Sam's Club store in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
    • The individual who may have exposed others to measles is a Chicago resident with no known link to the recent measles outbreak at a Pilsen shelter.
  • Accuracy
    • Those who have been vaccinated against measles are at low risk of developing the virus.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

First case of measles detected in DuPage County since 2009, health officials say

The Chicago Tribune Rebecca Johnson Sunday, 14 April 2024 13:44
  • Unique Points
    • A DuPage County resident has tested positive for measles, the first case identified in the county since 2009.
    • The person diagnosed with measles received outpatient medical care.
  • Accuracy
    • ]A DuPage County resident has tested positive for measles, the first case identified in the county since 2009.[
    • The source of the infection is unknown but not linked to migrant shelters in Chicago.
    • DuPage County health department is working to identify and notify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
    • Measles is a serious respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia and other complications, particularly for young children.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

State wants schools to monitor students’ vaccination status amid measles outbreak

Daily Herald Marni Pyke Friday, 12 April 2024 23:43
  • Unique Points
    • Illinois has reported 62 measles cases in the Chicago region as of March 2023.
    • IDPH asked schools to review immunization records and keep lists of students who are not fully vaccinated.
    • New cases of measles in Chicago have gradually declined with three reported this week compared to 22 the week of March 24.
    • More than 690 schools in Illinois fall below the recommended vaccination rate of 95% that triggers herd immunity.
    • The U.S introduced a measles vaccine program in 1963 which almost eliminated the disease, prior to that nearly 90,000 cases were reported across Illinois in 1938.
    • Recent Chicago area outbreak represents the most infections in at least two decades with the highest comparable tally of 59 occurring at a downstate Illinois college in 1994.
  • Accuracy
    • ][The majority of measles cases are connected to a shelter for newly arriving migrants in Chicago.][] and [[The case does not appear to be linked to new arrival shelters in Chicago.]]
    • ][New cases of measles in Chicago have gradually declined with three reported this week compared to 22 the week of March 24.][] and [[As of Saturday, Chicago had 61 total cases for the year, including three cases that week.]
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the situation by focusing on the negative consequences of not being vaccinated while downplaying any potential side effects or risks associated with vaccines.
    • . . . most infections are connected to a shelter for newly arriving migrants in the city.
    • The IDPH on Monday sent a letter to state regional offices of education asking that schools review immunization records for all students.
    • Measles is highly contagious especially in school-aged children.
    • The measles vaccination rate for K-12 students statewide is estimated at 96.2%, which exceeds recommended levels. But it’s lower for kindergartners at 91.7% as of 2022, the IDPH said.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

DuPage County Health Department Confirms Case of Measles

West Chicago Voice Unknown Editor Monday, 15 April 2024 15:20
  • Unique Points
    • DuPage County Health Department confirmed a case of measles in a DuPage County resident, the first case identified in DuPage County since 2009.
    • The case does not appear to be linked to new arrival shelters in Chicago and the source of infection is unknown.
    • Multiple exposure locations have been identified in Chicago from 4/2/2024-4/10/2024.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but overall the author's statements are factual and do not contain any formal or informal fallacies. The author quotes Adam Forker, Executive Director of DuPage County Health Department making statements about measles and its prevention which is an appeal to authority. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall accuracy of the article.
    • ][Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department] With an increasing number of measles cases being identified, being up to date with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.[/]
    • [Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department] Measles is a serious respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever and is capable of leading to pneumonia and other complications.
    • [Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department] El sarampión es una infección respiratoria grave que provoca sarpullido y fiebre alta y es capaz de provocar neumonía y otras complicaciones.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication