STICKNEY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT CONFIRMS
MEASLES CASE IN BEDFORD PARK
BURBANK, March 27, 2014 – The Stickney Public Health District has confirmed that a person with measles related to the ongoing situation in the City of Chicago was at the Walmart Supercenter at 7050 S. Cicero Ave, Bedford Park, Il on Friday March 22, 2024, roughly between the hours of 2 and 4 pm. All persons who were at this Walmart between the hours of 2 and 6 pm on that date may have been exposed to measles.
Those who have been vaccinated against measles are likely protected and do not need to take further action at this time. Please monitor for symptoms for 21 days and call your health provider if symptoms develop. Unvaccinated individuals who were at Walmart on the date and times listed, may have been exposed to measles and should contact the Health District’s Communicable Disease team at (708) 237-8985.
While cases of measles are exceedingly rare due to high vaccination coverage from childhood, reports of measles cases have recently been increasing internationally and in the United States. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is extremely effective at preventing measles and remains by far the best protection against measles for people of all ages. However, measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous to those who are unvaccinated, especially babies and young children.
“Vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of measles. Make sure that you are up-to-date on all your vaccines,” said Dr. Nenita Irabagon, Medical Director at the Stickney Public Health District. “Contact your medical provider to determine your vaccination status, and if you are a parent of a child under 1 year of age and your child has not received the MMR vaccine, please contact your pediatrician to get your child up-to-date on this important vaccine.”
The Health District is working to identify and notify people that may have been exposed to measles and is in close contact with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
ABOUT MEASLES
Measles is a serious respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever and is capable of leading to pneumonia and other complications. Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.
The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for several hours, even after the infected person has left. The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.
A first dose of MMR is recommended at 12 months of age and a second at 4 to 6 years of age, but it is never too late to get your MMR vaccine if you haven’t already. Anyone who isn’t sure if they’re vaccinated against measles should contact their healthcare provider or local pharmacy today.
Most health insurance covers the cost of the MMR and MMRV vaccine. Insured persons should check with their provider or local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Uninsured or underinsured children and adults can access free or low-cost vaccines. To find a clinic near you, visit IDPH’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Finder, or HRSA’s Health Center Finder.
For more information about measles and how you can protect yourself, visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
Measles On The Rise...
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IDPH Reports Measles Case Identified in Cook County
First Measles Case in Illinois Since 2019 is a Reminder of the Importance of Measles Vaccine
November 1, 2023 UPDATE. An outbreak of measles has been declared in northern Illinois (suburban Cook County). PCR testing for measles virus performed by the IDPH public health laboratory is positive for measles virus in four individuals; another individual is being evaluated who is showing signs compatible with early measles who is also epi-linked to a PCR positive case. All five of these individuals were unvaccinated.
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports that on October 10, a suspected case of measles was reported by Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to IDPH. The case, involving an unvaccinated individual with exposure internationally, was confirmed by the IDPH laboratory on October 11. IDPH is working with CCDPH to identify potential exposure locations in the U.S. The case’s rash onset was identified as October 9; therefore, the infectious period would be between October 5 through October 13. Prior to this case, the last measles case in Illinois was identified in 2019.
Most people are vaccinated routinely in childhood and are not at high risk. Of most concern are people who have not been vaccinated. Individuals who think they have been exposed should check with their health care provider about protection through prior vaccination or the need for vaccination.
Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. After exposure to someone with measles, symptoms can take from seven to 21 days to show up. Individuals who develop symptoms of measles should contact a health care provider by phone or email BEFORE going to a medical office or emergency department. Special arrangements can be made for your evaluation while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.
Tranquilizer Linked to Increase in Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths
(CDC) A tranquilizer called xylazine is increasingly being found in the US illicit drug supply and linked to overdose deaths.1 Xylazine—which is not approved for use in people—can be life-threatening and is especially dangerous when combined with opioids like fentanyl.2 Due to its impact on the opioid crisis, fentanyl mixed (adulterated) with xylazine has been declared an emerging threat by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.
The presence of xylazine, also known as "Tranq," in drugs tested in labs increased in every region of the United States from 2020-2021, with the largest increase in the South. Studies from specific areas found similar increases. One study from 10 US cities showed xylazine was involved in less than 1% of drug overdose deaths in 2015 and in nearly 7% in 2020. In samples from eight syringe service programs in Maryland tested between 2021 and 2022, xylazine was found in almost 80% of drug samples that contained opioids. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, xylazine was found in 31% of heroin and/or fentanyl overdose deaths in 2019.
Xylazine Fact Sheet: Alexis Soto
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To make an appointment call our South clinic at 708-424-9200 or our North Clinic at (708) 788-9100. If you are a new patient with us you will need to provide shot records and any other pertinent information.
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