An outbreak of measles in east central Illinois has grown to 16 confirmed cases, state officials said Friday.
The cases – in Douglas and Moultrie counties – have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Though the risk to most Illinois residents “remains very low,” state health leaders are urging people to make sure they’re vaccinated against the illness, amid a resurgence across the country.
One dose of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective in preventing measles, according to the health department. The vaccine is typically given in two doses, with the first shot around 1 year of age and second between 4 and 6 years old.
“While Illinois is fortunate to have high vaccination rates overall, there are still areas across the state with lower vaccination rates where people are at high risk,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the state health department, in a news release.
The state health department said more than 200 people near the outbreak have received MMR vaccines since the beginning of August, thanks to efforts by local health departments and the state.
In all, Illinois has 23 confirmed cases of measles so far this year. People can see potential exposure areas on the department’s website. Last year, the state had 14 cases of measles.
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People can see potential exposure areas on the department’s website. Recent potential exposure locations include Chicago’s Union Station, Swissotel Chicago and Salt + Smoke restaurant in Edwardsville.
Measles had been declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but in recent years, cases have been growing amid hesitation over vaccines and changing federal guidance about some vaccines. The federal government still recommends measles vaccines for all children.
So far in 2026, the U.S. has 3,659 confirmed cases of measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. in decades. About 95% of the cases so far this year are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the CDC.
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when a person coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with nose and throat secretions from an infected individual.