DeKalb County reported its first measles case, third in Illinois this year

Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune on Mar 14, 2026

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CHICAGO — DeKalb County reported its first measles case of the year this week, as the disease — once eradicated in the U.S. — continues to spread in several states.

Health officials are investigating the case and contacting people who may have been exposed, the DeKalb County Health Department said in a release Thursday, while keeping patient details under wraps for privacy.

Anyone who went to Walmart at 2300 Sycamore Road in DeKalb on March 2 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.; or to the post office on 600 E. Lincoln Hwy in DeKalb on March 9 between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., may have been exposed, DCHD said.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it can be prevented with vaccination,” said Stacia Runge, director of community health and prevention at DCHD in the release. “We encourage community members to check their vaccination records and make sure they are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”

This is the third recorded case of measles this year in Illinois, based on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s measles case tracker last updated Feb. 18.

The first case was reported a month ago in an adult living in the Metro East area who had traveled out of state, according to IDHS. The number of cases had remained at nil or in the single digits for nearly a decade, until 2024, when the state recorded 67 cases. Last year, a total of 14 cases were reported.

Measles cases have been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years. The outbreaks have mostly impacted children, with fewer kids getting routine vaccines due to parental waivers, health care access issues and widespread disinformation. Infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials, the Associated Press reported.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines and had been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

As of Wednesday, the U.S. has seen 1,362 confirmed cases of measles nationwide this year, with the most in South Carolina, Utah, and Florida. A total of 92% of cases were in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An online dashboard tool unveiled last year by state public health officials allows users to look up measles vaccination rates and outbreak risk data for individual schools across the state.