Ill. (WMBD) — After two measles deaths in Pennsylvania, Illinois <a href="https://healthylife7.com/butte-county-department-of-public-health-confirms-second-west-nile-virus-death-of-2026/" title="Butte County Department of Public Health confirms second West Nile virus death of 2026″>Public Health officials are recommending that Illinois residents check their vaccination status.
So far this year, the Illinois Department of Public Health reports only five confirmed cases in the state. Melissa Graven, an associate executive director at the Illinois Public Health Association, said the two Pennsylvania deaths should be a wake-up call
“It does serve as a really good reminder that infectious diseases don’t know state lines,” Graven said.
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Heidi German, a communicable disease nurse at the McLean County Health Department, said measles spreads easily, as even being in a room within two hours of someone with measles increases the risk of catching it
She said the likelihood is even higher if an individual isn’t vaccinated.
“When we see diseases like measles that had pretty much gone away come back, it’s scary,” German said. “That means that we have people that are not vaccinating and then we have kids that are not vaccinated and they die from these diseases.”
German and Graven said the best way to prevent measles is the MMR vaccine. Both ladies said to reach out to the local health department for guidelines
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“It’s a great conversation to have with your health care provider,” Graven said. “Also, your local health department, they are huge vaccine experts and advocates, and they’ll walk with you and talk with you on what vaccines are indicated based on your age.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles symptoms are diverse based on how long the virus has been in the body. The most common symptoms are high fever, cough and a rash.
A disease such as measles is not heard about as often as it used to be, but that doesn’t mean the deadly virus is gone.
IDPH reported a total of 14 cases of measles in 2025 in Illinois. That’s why health officials continue to stress the importance of using science-based vaccines.
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“Public health does give recommendations for vaccines. Those are based on years and years of research; that is evidence-based,” German said.
The McLean County Health Department is holding a walk-in vaccination clinic for the required immunizations for schools on Friday, Aug. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the health department at 200 West Front St
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