200 U of I students at risk of contracting measles after recent cases

URBANA, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) — A second caseof measles has been confirmed in Champaign-Urbana. This is the second one in a month.

Both patients were students at the University of Illinois, according to Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

People are always on the move at the university, which makes controlling the virus even harder.

Those who are vaccinated for the measles are in the clear, but for the 200 other students who aren't, they are now at risk.

“The worry of measles is that it is very infectious,” said Awais Vaid, epidemiologist for CU Public Health District. “We want to make sure that anybody that has a potential exposure is not socializing so we can limit the spread of the disease."

Of the 44,000 students that attend U of I, about 200 of them aren't vaccinated, according to the McKinley Health Center.

“If they were exposed and unvaccinated, they have a good chance of getting measles,” said Julie Pryde, administrator for CU Public Health District.

All U of I students are required to be vaccinated before coming to campus.

“I remember reading the emails about it but not really being concerned because I know that I am vaccinated,” said student Megan McNichols.

But for some students, they weren’t sure.

“I did a lot of vaccinations, but I don't remember what I did,” said student Christen Gonhay.

“I did call my mom to check what my vaccination status was,” said student Quintin Rizzergi.

Pryde warns the virus is very serious and spreads quickly.

“I've heard people refer to it as a cold with a rash - it is far from a cold with a rash,” she said.

Most children are vaccinated starting at 1-year-old. If not, experts suggest visiting a local clinic immediately.

“If they need a vaccine, it will be provided to them. If they need to be tested, they can do that as well,” said Vaid.