SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Health announced Friday that the measles outbreak in Southern Illinois is over.

A total of eight measles cases, all linked to one another, were identified in Southern Illinois in April and May.

In addition to the eight Southern Illinois cases, two additional, unrelated cases were identified in Cook County around the same time. Those did not constitute an outbreak, and there was no further indication of any additional spread beyond those two individuals.

No new Illinois cases have been diagnosed since May 22; two full incubation periods (42 days) have elapsed since the last confirmed case, allowing IDPH to declare the outbreak over. 

Rapid response from IDPH and local health departments kept the virus spread to a minimum and prevented additional cases.

Immunization against measles remains the best protection for children and adults.