Measles Outbreak: 5 children cleared to return to Palatine daycare

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (WLS) -- Five of the children who got sick from measles at a suburban Kindercare are now cleared to return to the facility in Palatine.

They're all infants who were too young to receive immunization from the disease.

The news comes as the county health department confirmed an eleventh case of measles. The new case is an infant connected to kindercare.

There are now 10 cases in suburban Cook County and one in Chicago.

The Cook County Dept. of Public Health said the most recent case involves an infant associated with the cluster of cases at the Palatine KinderCare. Officials said eight other infants and one adult from the day care have been diagnosed.

Health officials have identified three places in DuPage County and one in Kane County where people may have been exposed to the measles virus.

Those DuPage County locations are: Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Carol Stream, Jewel-Osco in Carol Stream, and Advanced Pediatrics Neonatal Medicine in Bloomingdale.

Health officials said a therapist at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, located on Army Trail Road, in Carol Stream though she had the flu, but when she broke out with a rash she discovered it may be the measles. Her bosses called the health department.

"We provided them with the names of the clients that potentially had exposure and the employees as well. And they went out and reached out to each one of those individuals," Mike Lieske, owner of the spa, said.

He said his employee is recovering at home.

Health officials also called employees at the neighboring Jewel-Osco who may have come in contact with the therapist on Friday afternoon when she went to the store. Jewel-Osco encouraged its employees to get vaccinated.

"The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective and it's our best way to help break the transmission of disease. We strongly urge individuals to check their status, make sure they're up to date, check their records, check (with) the doctor to be sure. Better to get the vaccine if they think they had it, had the disease. Ask their doctor for a blood test or go ahead and get the vaccine," Dr. Rashmi Chugh said.

"I'm just glad I'm vaccinated and I hope the majority of people here are vaccinated. I don't want that spreading everywhere else in the local schools and stuff," said Giovanni Esparza, a Jewel shopper.

Lieske said the spa has been scrubbed down and is open for clients. The measles virus can live on surfaces for only two hours, so health officials said the spa is safe for customers.

The third location in DuPage County where officials said people could have been exposed to the measles virus is Advanced Pediatrics Neonatal Medicine in Bloomingdale. One of the children who was diagnosed with measles after attending KinderCare in Palatine was treated there at the end of January for a cough and runny nose.

In neighboring Kane County, a student at Elgin Community College was diagnosed with measles on Monday. The college informed its students and staff on Tuesday.

"The student was on campus on Tuesday and Thursday of last week. The student went to their classes and also came here to the library. We have notified all those who may have come in contact with the student," Toya Webb, Elgin Community College, said.

"As a student that's vaccinated, I'm not particularly concerned for myself. But where my real concern lies is with students who aren't vaccinated for whatever reason that may be," student Richard Gonigan said.

Measles Outbreak: Measles symptoms and photos, measles treatment, measles vaccine