Possible Measles Exposure At Evergreen Park Sam's Club

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Cook County health officials are alerting anyone who may have visited a Sam’s Club in Evergreen Park of a possible measles exposure.

A person who was contagious with measles visited Sam’s Club, 9400 S. Western Ave. between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. The infected person is a Chicago resident. The Cook County Department of Public Health is coordinating with the Chicago Department of Public Health on this investigation. Officials say there is no known link between the Chicago resident and the recent measles cases associated with a city shelter for new arrivals.

If you visited Sam’s Club in Evergreen Park on April 9 and are unvaccinated, you are at an increased risk of developing measles. Health officials ask those who are unvaccinated to contact their health care provider immediately. Your doctor can provide additional information about measles testing and vaccination. MMR vaccine or a medicine called “immune globulin” may be given to exposed persons who are not immune to measles to reduce the risk of developing them.

Contact the Cook County Department of Public Health and your health care provider right away if you become ill and have a high fever (above 101 F), cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without a skin rash at 708-836-8699 and your health care provider. Before going o a medical office or emergency room, call to arrange for medical evaluation so as not to put other patients and medical staff at risk of measles exposure.

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 old. People who were born before 1957 were likely infected naturally and therefore are presumed to be protected against measles.

For the latest information about measles cases in Illinois, please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health.