Alert issued for possible exposure to measles in Cook County

Health officials issued a measles exposure alert Monday after learning that a resident of Cook County who confirmed he had the disease visited a Chicago restaurant and Mount . Prospect grocery store during their infectious period.

Between 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm On July 13, the person visited the Panera Bread, 400 W. Street Division, Chicago. A day later, between noon and 4 pm, the person visited Jewel-Osco, 333 E. Euclid Avenue, Mount Prospect

. Max Brito, from the University of Illinois at Chicago, said that the disease can be transmitted even without direct contact with the infected individual.

"Supermarkets are probably one of the worst," Brito said. "Any area affected by this individual may be potentially contaminated with measles."

According to the Cook County Public Health Department, the places listed in the alert are no longer contagious.

Symptoms of measles include rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The highly contagious virus is able to survive in the air and on surfaces for hours.

Anyone who has visited these places and experiences measles symptoms should contact a health care provider for an evaluation. It is recommended that people call before entering an establishment so that special arrangements can be made to protect other patients and medical staff from infection.

The infected person recently visited another country with continuous measles transmission and no measles immunity.

Those who have measles symptoms should also contact their local health department. Contact CCHBL at 708-836-8699. Residents of Lake County, contact the Lake County Public Health Department at 847-377-8130. Chicago residents, contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at 312-746-5380 and select option 1.