Health officials stated that a small outbreak of measles was reported after five infants who attend a Chicago day care center were diagnosed; meanwhile it is also believed that 10 more children may be exposed to the illness.
The children are all too young to be vaccinated, after the Illinois and Cook County health department released the lab results, which confirmed that two infants who attend the KinderCare Learning Center on East Palatine Road in Palatine have the measles.
While test results are still pending for the three other children it is highly believed that they also carry the sickness because they share similar symptoms.
While officials are unaware of the initial source of the outbreak, Dr. Terry Mason chief operating officer for the county’s health and hospitals system believes there is no connection between this incident and what has happened recently in Disneyland.
While health officials do not think that any infants under the age of 1 should be vaccinated, they should be treated as soon as possible, and for a second time between the ages of 4 and 6.
Specifically in Illinois, children have to be vaccinated by the age of 2 in order to attend a day care facility, and have to show proof of their vaccination. For those going on to kindergarten, the state requires at least two prior vaccinations.
“We realize some don’t (have their children vaccinated) for health or religious reasons and we do not exclude kids who haven’t been vaccinated,” states Colleen Moran who is a spokesperson for the childcare facility in Illinois, but says that the company does follow local health code procedures, and encourages all the families to follow through with the necessary procedures to get their children the proper care.
Photo: Stacey Wescott
