Possible Measles Exposures at Evergreen Park Sam’s Club on April 9

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials are alerting anyone who may have visited the Sam’s Club at 9400 S. Western Avenue in Evergreen Park on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. that they may have been exposed to an individual who was contagious with measles.

The individual is a Chicago resident and CCDPH is coordinating with the Chicago Department of Public Health on this investigation. There is no known link between the Chicago resident and the recent measles cases associated with a city shelter for new arrivals. For the latest information about measles cases in Illinois, please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website .

If you are vaccinated or have had measles before, your risk of developing measles is considered low. Most children are eligible to receive their first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months of age. People who were born before 1957 were likely infected naturally and therefore are presumed to be protected against measles.

If you are unvaccinated, you are at increased risk of developing measles. Please call your health care provider as soon as possible to receive a measles vaccine. The healthcare provider will provide additional information about measles testing and vaccination. MMR vaccine or a medicine called “immune globulin” may be given to exposed individuals who are not immune to measles to help reduce risk of developing measles.

If you become ill and have a high fever (above 101 F), cough, runny nose, and red eyes with or without a skin rash:

• Contact Cook County Department of Public Health at (708) 836-8699 and your health care provider by phone right away.
• Before going to a medical office or emergency department: Call to arrange for a medical evaluation so as not to put other patients and medical staff at risk of measles exposure.

Measles is easily spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come into contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Children younger than 5 years old and adults older than 20 years old are more likely to suffer from complications.