​​​​​​​Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes a rash and a fever. It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. With a sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious in the air and on infected surfaces for up to two hours. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. When to call your healthcare provider Call your healthcare provider and the Kane County Health Department:

  • If you are unimmunized and were potentially exposed and
  • Have symptoms of a fever of 101°F or higher​, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without rash of tiny red spots that start at the head and spread to rest of body.

If you believe you may have been exposed to measles and are unimmunized and are experiencing symptoms, please call the doctor's office, health clinic or emergency department before going so staff can take precautions to help avoid further spread of measles.

Recommendations for Parents

Don’t wait to vaccinate.

Contact your doctor and make sure all family members' vaccinations are up to date.

All children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine known as MMR, a combination vaccine that provides protection against measles, mumps, and rubella: the first dose at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at 4-6 years of age.

Vaccinations are the safest, most effective way to protect you and your family from measles and other potentially dangerous communicable diseases.

Anyone not already vaccinated against measles, should get vaccinated at this time.​

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Resources & Links

CDC Measles Cases & Outbreaks Page
CDC Measles Main Info Page
FAQs about Measles in US CDC
Measles Page for Healthcare Providers CDC
Measles Vaccine Info Sheet
Measles Community Fact Sheet KCHD
Measles Info Sheet IDPH
Communicable Disease Main Page