Kane County Confirms 2nd Measles Case as Wisconsin Outbreak Tops 163

Q: Could a routine commute through a major transit hub expose you to a highly contagious airborne virus?

Yes. A routine commute through a major transit hub can expose someone to measles, one of the most contagious airborne viruses. Health officials in Chicago warned of a possible measles exposure at Union Station after an infected out-of-state traveler spent hours there on Aug. 27-28. That matters because measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after the person leaves. In a busy indoor space such as a rail station, that creates the possibility that ordinary travelers passing through the same area could be exposed without direct contact. The Kane County cases underscore how quickly that risk can expand. In the county’s first case, investigators identified up to 1,600 possible exposures. A second case then appeared in a vaccinated person who had contact with the first patient, showing that breakthrough infections can happen, though they are usually milder and less severe than cases in unvaccinated people. The risk is highest for people who are unvaccinated or unsure of their immunity. Measles can infect up to 9 in 10 unprotected people exposed to it. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection. Anyone who was at a possible exposure site should monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days: high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash. People with symptoms should call a doctor before showing up in person, to avoid exposing others.

1 articles · Updated · NBC Chicago · Sep 14

A second measles case was confirmed in Kane County after a vaccinated person contracted the virus through contact with the county’s first patient reported in August.
More than 163 cases have been recorded in southwestern Wisconsin as of Sept. 10, prompting northern Illinois health officials to warn travelers because the area is a popular destination.
Wisconsin’s outbreak is concentrated in largely unvaccinated people — 162 of the 163 confirmed cases — while local officials said transmission is still continuing in several counties.
Kane County said its first case generated up to 1,600 potential exposures, underscoring how quickly measles can strain public health response and why residents are being urged to verify vaccination records and call ahead before seeking care.