Measles outbreak: 7 cases now linked to Palatine day care

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Eight people - two adults and six infants- in Cook County are now confirmed to have the measles. The Illinois Dept. of Public Health confirms there are now nine confirmed cases statewide.

Seven of the total cases - 1 adult and 6 infants - are now linked to the KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine. All of those who contracted measles were not vaccinated, and the adult is not a KinderCare employee.

KinderCare nationwide is now requiring all staff and adults with access to the infant areas be vaccinated for measles.

One more adult from Palatine also contracted the virus. That case is linked to a grocery store.

Health officials say vaccination is "critical to curbing the ongoing transmission." They urge anyone who has not received the measles vaccine, MMR, to do so. They say it is 99-percent effective in preventing the disease.

The first dose of MMR should be given between 12 and 15 months. The second dose should be given between the ages of 4 and 6.