Home / Health / Measles Case in DuPage: Vaccinated Resident Traveled Through O'Hare
Measles Case in DuPage: Vaccinated Resident Traveled Through O'Hare
21 Oct
Summary
- DuPage County confirms its first measles case of 2026 in a vaccinated resident.
- The infected individual traveled through Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 5.
- Public urged to monitor for symptoms if exposed at O'Hare on October 15.
DuPage County has confirmed its initial measles case for 2026, affecting a vaccinated resident. This individual recently returned from an international trip and traveled through Chicago O'Hare International Airport's Terminal 5 on Thursday, October 15, between 4:20 p.m. and 7 p.m. Health officials are alerting anyone who was in Terminal 5 during this timeframe to contact their local health department for potential exposure.
Despite the case involving a vaccinated person, DuPage health officials assess the public risk as low. Vaccinated individuals typically experience milder illness and are less likely to transmit the virus. Protection from the MMR vaccine is generally considered lifelong. Symptoms to monitor for over 21 days include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash.
Nationally, the Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed 24 measles cases in 2026 so far. The majority of these cases are linked to an outbreak in Douglas County. Cook, DeKalb, and DuPage counties have each reported one case, while Kane County has had two, Madison County three, and Moultrie County five.
