Kankakee County, IL – The Kankakee County Health Department is on high alert following an advisory from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), prompted by three reported cases of measles in Indiana.
During a Kankakee County Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, Health Department Administrator John Bevis detailed the alert received on Monday, underscoring the proactive measures being taken to prevent a local outbreak. “We’ve not seen anything local,” Bevis stated, highlighting the advisory’s role in ensuring local health entities remain vigilant for signs of the highly contagious disease.
In response to the situation, the Lake County Indiana Health Department has initiated free vaccination clinics, a move aimed at curbing the measles outbreak. Set for Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the clinics will offer the MMR vaccine to individuals under one year old, marking the county’s first measles case in five years. The clinics, located in Gary, East Chicago, and Hammond, represent a crucial step in safeguarding the community against measles, which has shown signs of resurgence.
Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body. Symptoms typically manifest 10-12 days after exposure. Health officials urge anyone suspecting they may have measles to immediately contact their healthcare provider, emphasizing the importance of calling ahead to prevent virus spread.
