Feb. 25--The 15th case of measles has been confirmed in Illinois, public health officials said.
The most recent case was confirmed Wednesday, according to Melanie Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The latest case involves an adult from suburban Cook County, Arnold said. The other cases reported in the state are also from suburban Cook County and Chicago, she said.
Officials are trying to determine how the person came in contact with the disease. A preliminary investigation of the latest case has not found a link to the KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine, which has been connected to 13 confirmed cases, Arnold said.
Officials also have not found a connection between the latest case and the first confirmed case in January, she said.
According to Cook County public health officials, in suburban Cook County people may have been exposed at the LaRosita Laundromat, 1212 E. Dundee Rd. in Palatine on February 16, 2015 between 7:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m..
In addition, patients and visitors may have been exposed at the Vista Clinic, 1585 North Rand Rd. in Palatine on February 19, 2015 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The last confirmed case prior to Wednesday's determination was Feb. 17, when an infant who had attended the Palatine day care center became ill, officials said.
The first report of measles was in late January, when a suburban Cook County adult became ill.
Measles is a respiratory disease that can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and, in rare cases, death. The virus is transmitted by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing and can remain alive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.
In reaction to the Palatine cases, KinderCare, the national chain that oversees the north suburban day care center, said earlier this month it is requiring all staff working with children younger than 15 months to be vaccinated, according to a letter addressed to families.
