Measles outbreak: Some adults may need 2nd vaccination

CHICAGO, Ill. (WLS) -- A measles cluster including five children was reported Thursday at a child care center in the northwest suburbs. On Friday, Lake County officials said there was a new suspected case of measles, but the patient tested negative.

CDC RECOMMENDATIONS, FAQ: http://www.cdc.gov

The CDC is calling this a multi-state outbreak and stresses vaccination - something adults are now worrying about, too.

The measles virus is contracted through sneezing or coughing. It can live on surfaces for up to two hours and is highly contagious. In fact, public health officials are warning more cases will pop up across the country.

So what if you, as an adult, are exposed to measles? Do you know if you are protected?

Dr. David Zich is an internal and emergency medicine doctor with Northwestern and says he is getting many calls from adults wondering what they should do to protect themselves. The answer lies in the year you were born.

"Between 1957 and 1967, the initial vaccination program between 1963 - 1967 used a virus that was not as effective, so unfortunately if you were born between that period and only had that vaccination series you need another vaccine, the new type," Dr. Zich said.

Anyone born after 1967 and didn't refuse the immunizations was required to get vaccinated and should be in the clear. How effective is that vaccine today? Doctors are confident.

"The measles vaccine is considered one of our more effective vaccines. After just one dose we usually see 95%-98% population is no longer susceptible. After the two doses, which is our customary rule here in the U.S., we get up to 99%. It's excellent," said Dr. Mark Dworkin, UIC Infectious Diseases.

It's important to stress, measles is not a very lethal virus. But if you do get the measles or are exposed, you are urged to stay home, call your doctor get some instructions, and avoid public places as not to spread the virus.

"When you think about measles think about it this way: measles was important enough that they launched a national immunization campaign to get rid of it," Dr. Dworkin said.

PHOTOS: Measles symptoms, vaccine info

MORE INFORMATION ON MEASLES IN ILLINOIS:

COMPARE: Percentage of children vaccinated in Kindergarten for measles, mumps and rubella

Illinois: 94.7 percent

Indiana: 92.9 percent

Wisconsin: 92.6 percent

National average: 94.7 percent

(according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

READ: CDC report on 1989-1990 measles outbreak in Chicago

READ: Measles cases in Illinois since 2005

SEARCH: Immunization Status of Illinois students, by school (PDF)

READ: Immunization Status of Illinois Students Report (PDF)

MORE: Illinois State Board of Education Data Analysis