A vaccinated DuPage County resident has tested positive for measles after recently returning from international travel, marking the county’s first confirmed case of the year. The resident passed through Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Oct. 15, and anyone who was there between 4:20 p.m. and 7 p.m. that day may have been exposed.
Health officials described the infection as a rare breakthrough case, since the resident had already been vaccinated, according to NBC Chicago. Breakthrough infections in vaccinated people are uncommon but possible, particularly after intense or prolonged exposure to someone carrying the virus, the station reported. People who passed through that terminal during the exposure window were urged to report it to their local health department, per guidance cited by CBS News Chicago.
DuPage health officials assessed the risk to the general public as low, even as they urged vigilance among anyone who may have crossed paths with the traveler. Those who were exposed are being told to monitor for symptoms over a 21-day window, which can include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago. The rash typically appears three to five days after the other symptoms begin, usually starting on the face before spreading downward, per CBS News Chicago’s reporting.
What the Rash Can Look Like
On lighter skin, the measles rash can appear as pink, red or reddish-brown flat spots and raised bumps, while on darker skin it may show up as darker, dusky or purplish-brown areas that can be more subtle and feel bumpy or textured, according to CBS News Chicago. Anyone with questions about a rash that might be related to measles should call their doctor right away, the outlet reported. People who do develop symptoms are asked to stay home and call ahead before showing up at a doctor’s office or emergency room, explaining the possible exposure so the facility can take precautions, per FOX 32 Chicago…