The national measles outbreak has so far skirted Kendall County with most cases in Illinois having been reported in Cook County. But on Feb. 10, neighboring DuPage issued a public warning about possible cases there.

The Kendall County Health Department is closely monitoring the situation and is sending out a clear message to the community.

“It is important for people to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Amaal Tokars, executive director/ public health administrator. “Unless your doctor advises otherwise for a specific reason.”

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a blunt statement on the severity of the situation.  “The solution to ending measles is simple – get vaccinated,” said the Illinois Director of Public Health Dr. Nirav D. Shah.  “The vaccine is 97 percent effective upon receipt of two doses.  But the vaccine alone doesn’t provide protection; it is the vaccination that will prevent disease.  I urge everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine to get vaccinated.”

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes fever, red and sore eyes, runny nose, cough and rash. The disease can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and death.  Measles is transmitted “ by contact with an infected person through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.  Infected people are contagious from four days before their rash starts through four days after the rash develops,” according to the IDPH.

Yorkville Community School District 115, while to date not having any reported measles cases, is keeping in very close contact with the Kendall Health Department.

“We have a plan in place to remove a student (who comes down with measles) but so far have not. We will initiate contact with (the health department) and our parents if a case shows up,” said district spokesperson Megan Jacobs.

The plan Jacobs refers to is actually state law. In the event a case of measles is found in a school, any student who is not vaccinated against the measles would not be allowed back into school for 21 days from time a case is discovered in the school.

Oswego Community School District 308 has not had a reported case of measles but did post some information about the current outbreak for parents.

“Children and adults should be up to date with their immunizations. If you or anyone in your family does not have documented immunity against measles, please contact your physician or local pharmacy for appropriate vaccination(s) and/or immunity testing.  All children should receive two doses of MMR vaccine,” the announcement stated.

The vaccination requirements are laid out by the Illinois State Board of Education as stated on its web site: “At or about the same time that he/she receives a health examination, every child shall present proof to the local school authority of having received such immunizations against preventable communicable diseases . . . ‘Proof’ means that the individual administering the required immunizations has verified by recording on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form that the immunizations were administered in accordance with this Part,”

When it comes to specifically to the measles, the ISBE states, “Any child entering a child care facility or school program below the kindergarten level shall show proof of having received one dose of live measles virus vaccine by the second birthday.  The measles vaccine shall have been received on or after the first birthday.  The child shall show proof that he or she has been age-appropriately immunized against measles prior to entering a child care facility or school, including school programs below the kindergarten level, for the first time; or present a statement from the physician that he or she has had measles.”

The measles outbreak has sparked controversy and conversation over parent’s rights in regards to immunizations. The beliefs exemption often cited in the debate has been misrepresented, according to Tokars. That exemption is in place for formal religious objections based on a doctrine and “not just to say ‘I don’t want to do it,’ “ she said.

Illinois State Board of Education requirements for immunizations

Upon first entering a child care facility, all children two months of age and older shall show proof that the child has been immunized, or is in the process of being immunized, according to the recommended schedule, against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, varicella, and invasive pneumococcal disease.

All children entering school programs in Illinois for the first time shall show proof of immunity against:

1)         Diphtheria

2)         Pertussis

4)         Poliomyelitis

5)         Measles

6)         Rubella

7)         Mumps

8)         Haemophilus influenzae type b

9)         Hepatitis B

10)      Varicella

11)      Invasive pneumococcal disease

12)      Meningococcal Disease

1. d)      Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

(Source: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/077006950000100R.html)