Hopefully not on at Long Grove on February 15.
Visitors to Long Grove Menards may have been exposed to measlesThe Lake County Health Department issued a warning on Thursday, Feb. 26, to people who visited or worked at a Menards store in Long Grove on Feb. 15, saying that an individual who subsequently tested positive for measles "was at the store at that date and time and could have been contagious."
The Menards in question is located at 2700 W. Lake Cook Road, on the northeast corner of Lake Cook and Route 53. According to a statement released just after noon on Thursday, health department officials stressed that "there are no current cases of measles in Lake County" but wanted the public to be aware of the individual visiting the store.
"People who visited or worked at the Menards store (on) Feb. 15 between 7:55 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., may have been exposed," the statement added. "The Menards store is cooperating closely with the Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health."
The statement also noted that while most people in Illinois have been vaccinated for measles, "out of an abundance of caution, the Health Department has decided to offer the vaccine. Several free measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccination clinics will be offered for customers and employees of Menards who feel they may have been exposed. The dates and times are to be determined."
"Alternatively, customers and employees may visit their healthcare provider, or individuals 14 years of age or older may be vaccinated at their local pharmacy," the statement added.
"Potentially exposed pregnant women should contact their obstetrician/gynecologist. If you have written proof of vaccination with measles or MMR vaccine, please bring this to the clinic. With some exceptions, persons born before 1957 are considered immune to measles and do not need vaccination."
Thursday's announcement comes three weeks after reports that five infants were infected with measles at a KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine. Concern about the spread of measles rose following a December outbreak traced to Disneyland in California that affected more than 100 people.
According to the health department, a person who was potentially exposed and is experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes with or without a rash should call their healthcare provider. These individuals should notify their physician or emergency department before seeking care by calling ahead, so that staff is able to take appropriate precautions to prevent others from being infected.
"The measles vaccine is safe, effective and the best protection against this disease," said Tony Beltran, the Health Department's executive director. "Before the U.S. measles vaccination program started in 1963, about 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. got measles each year, 400 to 500 of them died and 48,000 were hospitalized."
For more information, visit the Health Department's website at or call (847) 377-8130.
danmoran@tribpub.comTwitter @NewsSunDanMoran
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