Illinois

Measles is back in 2 states — what to know before the next outbreak

Published

1 year ago

October 17, 2023

Press Room

Measles is back in 2 states — what to know before the next outbreak

Measles — a deadly scourge of children before a vaccine was invented in 1963 — is back.

Health officials in Wisconsin and Illinois are warning the public that one case has been reported in each state.

The Illinois case was discovered in Cook County, the state’s most populated county, which includes Chicago. In neighboring Wisconsin, measles was reported in a Milwaukee resident who works in suburban Waukesha County.

As a result, public health experts are now struggling to track down people who may have been exposed to the infectious disease.

The Illinois case occurred in a resident who was unvaccinated and had been exposed to measles during international travel, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“This first reported case of measles in Illinois since 2019 is a reminder that this disease can be prevented with up-to-date vaccination,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a news release.

“However, as we saw this week, it still can affect those who are unvaccinated. I urge everyone to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations,” he added.

What is measles?

Measles is caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

CDC

Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. People of any age can get measles, but the disease is most common — and most deadly — in children.

Before a vaccine became available in 1963, nearly all children caught measles by the time they were 15 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and an estimated 3 to 4 million people in the US were infected each year.

And each year, an estimated 400 to 500 people died of measles, 48,000 were hospitalized and 1,000 cases of encephalitis (swelling of the brain) were caused by the disease.

Measles was officially declared eliminated from the US in 2000, thanks to a highly effective vaccination program, as well as better measles control throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Measles symptoms

A typical measles rash is also one of the first symptoms. It’s most often a red, blotchy rash on the face and around the ears, which then spreads downward to the torso and feet, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Other measles symptoms include a fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis) and small, white spots with blue centers on a red background inside the cheek (called Koplik’s spots).

As the rash spreads, an infected person’s fever can rise sharply, sometimes up to 105 degrees or higher. A person can spread the measles virus to others for about eight days, starting four days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four days.

The measles virus is most easily spread through airborne droplets when an infected person speaks, sneezes or coughs. It can also spread when infected droplets land on a surface and someone touches that surface.

About 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles dies from respiratory and neurologic complications, according to the CDC.

Measles vaccine

A typical measles rash is one of the first symptoms of measles — a red, blotchy rash appears on the face and around the ears, then spreads downward to the torso and feet.

In most cases, the measles vaccine is given to children as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, or with the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, known as the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.

Doctors recommend that all children receive the MMR vaccine twice: once between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second time between 4 and 6 years of age (before starting school).

Adults may need the measles vaccine if they don’t have proof of immunity and are attending college, traveling internationally outside the US or working in a hospital environment.

Adults born in 1957 or later may need a vaccine if they hadn’t had one and have never had measles. A person who’s had measles has built up an immune system to fight the infection, and you can’t get measles twice.

Most people born or living in the US before 1957 are immune to measles because they’ve already had it.

A now-discredited 1998 report attempted to link the measles vaccine to autism. That caused a drop in the number of children who were vaccinated, which was followed by a steep rise in cases of measles.

A 2023 report in the medical journal The Lancet found that pockets of vaccine hesitancy for measles and other infectious diseases continue to exist, despite the measles vaccine’s success at preventing more than 70 million deaths between 1990 and 2019.

Measles treatment

There’s no cure for measles after an infected person develops symptoms, so treatment usually focuses on easing the symptoms.

Doctors advise medication to reduce a fever, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen.

And giving a child a dose of vitamin A may lessen the severity of a measles infection. Other remedies include rest, drinking fluids and avoiding screens and bright lights if they bother your eyes.

And because the disease is easily spread, people with measles are advised to isolate at home and avoid contact with others.

Measles outbreak

Despite public health measures and vaccination programs, measles outbreaks occur from time to time.

In February 2023, a small outbreak of measles was linked to an unvaccinated person who attended a religious revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. At least three cases were attributed to the revival, and unvaccinated attendees were warned to quarantine if they showed any symptoms.

Measles cases increased by about 80% worldwide during 2022 compared with 2021, according to Precision Vaccination, and India remains the leader globally, with 46,231 measles cases reported over the past year.

The CDC has stated that as of September 29, 2023, 29 measles cases have been reported in 16 regions of the US this year — a figure that does not include the cases seen thus far in Illinois and Wisconsin.

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Illinois

Halftime Update: Gamecocks Trail No. 15 Illinois 7-3

Published

7 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

Halftime Update: Gamecocks Trail No. 15 Illinois 7-3

The South Carolina Gamecocks head into halftime down 7-3 against No. 15 Illinois in a tightly contested battle. While the Gamecocks haven’t struggled to move the ball, they’ve had trouble capitalizing on key opportunities. A prime example came early in the game when they recovered a fumble near the goal line but failed to convert, ultimately punting on the drive. Despite the missed chances, the Gamecocks remain very much in this game.

Team Stats at Halftime:

Gamecocks Player Spotlight:

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been steady, completing 13 of 19 passes for 88 yards (4.6 yards per attempt). While he hasn’t thrown for any touchdowns or interceptions, Sellers has also contributed 19 rushing yards. To pull off the upset, South Carolina will need Sellers to elevate his game in the second half and take control of the offense.

The Gamecocks are within striking distance and will look to clean up their execution to flip the script in the final two quarters. This game is far from over.

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Illinois

How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in Latest NCAA NET Rankings?

Published

15 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

How High Did Illinois Basketball Climb in Latest NCAA NET Rankings?

Voters for the AP Top 25 poll have spoken, and although the rankings remain the gold standard for most fans in determining the who’s who of college basketball in-season, their merit is dubious – and their ultimate significance unimportant.

So as heartening as it might have been for Illinois fans to see the Illini (9-3, 1-1 Big Ten) move up a few spots in the AP poll this week – to No. 22 – and as annoyed as others might have been to see roughly a half-dozen clubs ranked over the Illini despite less-convincing résumés, the point is moot.

And that’s because the NCAA’s NET rankings are where it’s at.

Viewed through that more scientific, data-influenced lens, the Illini are considered degrees of magnitude better – at least through the first two months and 12 games of the season. Updated through Monday’s games, the NET has Illinois ranked No. 9 in the country – one spot above No. 10 Oregon as the Illini prepare to take on the Ducks in Eugene in their toughest road game to date.

Illinois moved up four spots into the top 10 of the NET rankings, which are calculated daily, and is currently viewed by the formula as the strongest team in the Big Ten. The formula currently considers the Illini to be the strongest team in the conference.

And although the NET rankings finds higher quality at the top of other leagues, they recognize the Big Ten’s depth, with a total of seven teams in the top 25 as of Monday – also including No. 13 Maryland, No. 14 UCLA, No. 16 Michigan, No. 23 Ohio State and No. 25 Michigan State.

That bodes well for the Illini’s chances to continue to grow and build a profile through the conference season that can’t be ignored by the NCAA Tournament selection committee (which uses NET as its proprietary and primary tool).

It starts at Oregon (Thursday at 9 p.m. CT, on FS1) but, in theory, won’t end until March 16 – the day of the Big Ten Championship game and NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.

Illinois Basketball Climbs in AP Top 25 Entering Big Game at Oregon

3 Key Numbers From Illinois Basketball’s Win Over Chicago State

Illinois Basketball Toys With Chicago State in Showcase Win

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Illinois

What channel is Illinois vs South Carolina? Time, TV schedule to watch Citrus Bowl

Published

22 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Illinois vs South Carolina? Time, TV schedule to watch Citrus Bowl

The Illinois Fighting Illini wrap up one of their best seasons in a generation today against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Coach Bret Bielema and the No. 21 Illini (9-3) are looking for the program’s first 10-win season since 2001. No. 14 South Carolina (9-3) is seeking its only 10-win season outside the three straight 11-win seasons under Steve Spurrier from 2011-13.

Watch Illinois football vs South Carolina on Fubo (free trial available)

Here’s everything you need to know about Illinois’ game against South Carolina on Tuesday, including how to watch the Citrus Bowl and more:

How to watch Citrus Bowl today with Illinois vs South Carolina

Illinois will play South Carolina at 2 a.m. CT in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will air on ABC and stream on Fubo (free trial available). Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Roddy Jones (analyst) will call the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines.

Illinois vs South Carolina predictions, picks, odds

South Carolina 24, Illinois 23:Illinois will miss all-Big Ten WR Pat Bryant, who decided to opt out and focus on the NFL Draft. Bowl games often come down to who decides to show up — and I fully trust the Illini will play hard for Bret Bielema. This game will be closer than the point spread dictates.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, as of Dec. 29, 2024.

Who plays in the Citrus Bowl?

Tuesday’s Citrus Bowl features No. 14 South Carolina playing No. 21 Illinois. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. CT from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

What time is the Citrus Bowl?

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. CT

Who will win the Citrus Bowl?

South Carolina is a 10-point favorite over Illinois in college football odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. The Gamecocks are -400 on the money line, while the Fighting Illini are +310. The over/under is 49.5 points.

Illinois football schedule 2024

Thursday, Aug. 29: Illinois 45, Eastern Illinois 0
Saturday, Sept. 7: Illinois 23, Kansas 17
Saturday, Sept. 14: Illinois 30, Central Michigan 9
Friday, Sept. 20: Illinois 31, Nebraska 24 (OT)
Saturday, Sept. 28: Penn State 21, Illinois 7
Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 12: Illinois 50, Purdue 49 (OT)
Saturday, Oct. 19: Illinois 21, Michigan 7
Saturday, Oct. 26: Oregon 38, Illinois 9
Saturday, Nov. 2: Minnesota 25, Illinois 17
Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 16: Illinois 38, Michigan State 16
Saturday, Nov. 23: Illinois 38, Rutgers 31
Saturday, Nov. 30: Illinois 38, Northwestern 28
Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl | 2 p.m. ABC (Fubo free trial)

South Carolina football schedule 2024

Saturday, Aug. 31: South Carolina 23, Old Dominion 19
Saturday, Sept. 7: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6
Saturday, Sept. 14: LSU 31, South Carolina 6
Saturday, Sept. 21: South Carolina 50, Akron 7
Saturday, Sept. 28: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 5: Ole Miss 27, South Carolina 3
Saturday, Oct. 12: Alabama 27, South Carolina 25
Saturday, Oct. 19: South Carolina 35, Oklahoma 9
Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 2: South Carolina 44, Texas A&M 20
Saturday, Nov. 9: South Carolina 28, Vanderbilt 7
Saturday, Nov. 16: South Carolina 34, Missouri 30
Saturday, Nov. 23: South Carolina 56, Wofford 12
Saturday, Nov. 30: South Carolina 17, Clemson 14
Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs Illinois in the Citrus Bowl | 2 p.m. ABC (Fubo free trial)

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