Illinois reports first Measles case of 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed the state’s first case of measles in 2025, involving an adult in southern Illinois.
The case was confirmed through laboratory testing on April 23, and health officials are working to identify potential exposure locations.
The risk of community transmission remains low, and the department is urging residents to ensure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.
According to IDPH, this is the first positive case of the year and the risk of community transmission for the general public remains low at this time. The Mason County Health Department shares that the positive case was found in an unvaccinated adult male from Marion Illinois and they are contacting anyone he may have come in contact with.
Shawnna Rhine is the Southern Seven Health Department Community Outreach Coordinator, Rhine shares symptoms to look out for after possible contact.
“Symptoms of measles first off don’t generally show until about day 8 of the virus. You can start having symptoms anywhere from day 2 to day 8 and what you’re going to be seeing is rash generally that starts at your head and moves down through your body. A high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and extreme tiredness.”
Illinois has had no other reported cases of measles since an outbreak in Chicago in early 2024.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 800 cases of measles in more than 25 jurisdictions.
“This first reported case of measles in Illinois in 2025 is a reminder to our residents that this disease can be prevented with up-to-date vaccination,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.
The department is stressing the importance of ensuring everyone in the family is up to date on their immunizations, particularly with vaccination rates dropping since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rhine shares how can stay up to date on what’s happening as far as spread of measles throughout the region.
“In thinking about where we are as a region and making sure our children as well as adults here in our region is safe, IDPH is monitoring vaccination rates throughout our schools and the community. You can look that up through their measles dashboard. Right now, our nurses are talking with our schools just to see if they have any questions and make sure they have all the information that they need but again we want to make sure if you can that you’re up to date with your measles vaccine that’s the MMR” says Rhine.
For more information about measles, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health webpage or the CDC’s measles site.
