ROCHELLE — In an effort to keep the community informed and safe, Rochelle Community Hospital recently released information on measles, as the United States is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades.

Dr. Kendall Vogeler of the RCH Family Healthcare Clinic spoke with the Rochelle News-Leader and Ogle County Life about measles on March 20. Measles is an acute respiratory illness that is highly contagious and can be deadly. In the early decades of the 20th century, thousands of fatal measles infections were reported each year. Measles was eradicated in the U.S. in 2000.

“There are no cases of measles in Ogle County or the greater Rockford area that have been reported,” Vogeler said. “As of March 13, the two largest areas are still Texas and New Mexico. There are a total of 15 states that have had Measles outbreaks. The closest one to us would probably be Kentucky. To date, there's 301 total reported Measles cases and 95 percent of those people were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.”

Measles is still very common in other parts of the world. The recent surge likely began due to people traveling in and out of the country. Most of the current measles cases in the U.S. are unvaccinated children and young adults. It is widely believed the measles outbreak will continue to spread across the country.

The most important populations measles is a concern for are infants and children. One to three in 1,000 children contracting measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) concurrent with the measles infection. 10-15 percent of those children will die and a further 25 percent of patients will be left with permanent brain damage or deafness. 

Measles is spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

“A 90 percent exposure rate is a scary thing and something to be prepared for,” Vogeler said. “And even if someone has had Measles in the past, they can still get Measles, but it will be a less serious version of that.”

Symptoms of measles appear 7-14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin. Measles rash appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

Once people have been exposed to measles, it can incubate in their body 6-21 days with an average of 13 days. After people are exposed, they reach a state where they start to have symptoms. People can have fevers up as high as 105 degrees. Other symptoms are fatigue, and pink eye with no discharge.

“The rash will be a flat red circular rash that turns white when you push on it,” Vogeler said. “It's not necessarily itchy. It will begin by the hairline by the face and work its way down into the back and arms. The rash will not be on palms or soles of feet. Other symptoms are swollen lymph nodes or sore throat at that time. People typically start feeling better about 48 hours after the rash. The rash will get darker and then fade within a week.”

Measles is caused by a virus, so there's no specific medical treatment for it. The virus must run its course. 

Children that get vaccinated against measles get MMR vaccines when they’re between 12-15 months old and again when they’re 4-6 years old. If you have received those vaccines, you should not need another dose, Vogeler said. Those that received a measles vaccine during the years of 1963-1967 may need another dose due to lower potency in measles vaccines during that time. Those with questions can check vaccine records or get a blood draw to determine their need. 

“MMR vaccines are still recommended to be given to infants at 12-15 months old unless they are 6-11 months old and there are plans for that child to be taken out of the country,” Vogeler said. “That is the policy because measles is not common in the U.S. The issue is still minor enough for that to be the case.”

Vogeler does not believe measles cases will be seen in Rochelle or the Ogle County area, due vaccination rates. In the 2023-2024 school year, the 26 schools in Ogle County as a whole had a 95.6 rate of vaccine coverage for measles. Herd immunity protects the unvaccinated when that number is at least 85-95 percent, Vogeler said. 

“We were taught about measles in medical school as more of a hypothetical topic,” Vogeler said. “I've never seen a patient with measles in person. It's good as a refresher to know what to look for and what precautions are in place to ensure that we don't have a measles outbreak here locally. We have good data that says Ogle County is doing pretty well to prevent that. But we are prepared if someone comes in with those symptoms to make sure that they are isolated and people are protected.”

To get a measles vaccine, contact local pharmacies and the local health department. The Ogle County and Lee County Health Departments have vaccines available. If measles did come to the area, the community would be made aware of it through the health department.

Learn more about measles by visiting the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the measles and your health, contact your primary care provider.