From staff reports
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. in Bedford Park on Friday, March 22, roughly between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m.
Anybody who was at this Walmart between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m. 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 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.