Illinois Confirms First 2026 Measles Case; Possible Exposure at Collinsville Church

“This first reported case of measles in Illinois in 2026 is a reminder to our Illinois residents that this disease can be prevented with up-to-date vaccination,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the state’s first confirmed measles case of 2026. The agency said the patient is an adult Metro East resident who recently traveled out of state and that the announcement was posted publicly on Feb. 18.

The agency identified a potential exposure in Illinois at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville for anyone who attended services or events on Feb. 8 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Chicago Sun-Times coverage places Collinsville about 15 miles east of St. Louis. Capitolcitynow reported that church officials have notified congregants and provided guidance, and that additional exposure sites have been identified in other states.

IDPH said it is coordinating with local, state and federal partners to identify and notify people who may have been exposed while the person was infectious, and local health departments are directly contacting people who can be individually identified. The public-health announcement included specific clinician instructions: “The public health announcement also reminded health care providers to have a high index of suspicion for measles in patients with consistent symptoms, especially those with recent travel history or exposure to known cases. Providers are urged to contact their local health department for assistance with testing and further steps.”

Health officials emphasized vaccination as the most effective protection. Capitolcitynow quoted public-health messaging that “Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective at preventing infection.” WPSD reported that transmission has been “highly driven by low vaccination rates, with over 81% of cases appearing in unvaccinated individuals.” Illinois recorded 14 measles cases statewide in 2025.

The wider national picture underscores the urgency: WPSD cited CDC totals of 2,281 confirmed measles cases in 2025 and reported 982 nationwide cases in 2026 as of Feb. 19. The Springfield Journal-Register noted that 2025 saw measles surge to the highest levels in decades and that U.S. elimination status is now in jeopardy. Vohra added, “With almost a thousand cases in the US so far this year, the IDPH team has been preparing, working closely with local public health and health care partners on strategies to reduce spread and minimize outbreaks. … I recommend that our Illinois residents make sure that they and their family members are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations.”

IDPH and local partners have not released the patient’s name, age, vaccination status or clinical condition. The agency and local health departments continue contact tracing and notification efforts for identified exposures; Capitolcitynow and WPSD account for the Feb. 8 church exposure and the Feb. 18 announcement. Residents seeking current guidance should consult the Illinois Department of Public Health measles page or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measles information, and health-care providers are urged to contact their local health department immediately if they suspect measles in a patient.