Health officials list exposure sites after second metro-east measles case
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed a second diagnosed case of measles in the metro-east.
Missouri health officials issued a warning of a possible exposure at Lambert St. Louis International Airport Tuesday, saying a person from out of state flew into the airport on a domestic flight earlier this month.
An airport spokesperson said the individual was in Terminal 2 and the baggage claim area between 5 and 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and later took Parking Spot shuttle No. 3 to a parking area. Anyone who was on the affected flight is being notified directly.
The Illinois Department of Public Health said Tuesday that the same individual with measles may have exposed people at a church in Collinsville. It is the first confirmed case in Illinois of 2026. They said officials have been working to identify all the places where that individual may have visited while infectious. One location has been identified so far: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville.
Health officials said people attending services there between 8 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Feb. 8 were potentially exposed. The church has notified members about the exposure, and health officials have given them guidance on how to protect themselves. As Illinois health officials identify additional locations, they said the local health department will notify people directly.
On Wednesday, IDPH confirmed a second case of measles in Madison County and released a list of places where others may have been at risk for expsure. They include:
- YMCA Meyer Center (7348 Goshen Road, Edwardsville): Possible exposure times: Feb. 11 from 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. If exposed, monitor for symptoms through Mar. 4
- Fazzi’s Restaurant (1813 Vandalia Street, Collinsville): Possible exposure times: Feb. 13 from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. If exposed, monitor for symptoms through Mar. 6
- Schnucks (2222 Troy Road, Edwardsville): Possible exposure times: Feb. 14 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If exposed, monitor for symptoms through Mar. 7
- Walmart (400 Junction Drive, Glen Carbon): Possible exposure times: Feb. 14 from 10:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If exposed, monitor for symptoms through Mar. 7
- Discount Tire (4100 IL 159, Glen Carbon): Possible exposure times: Feb. 14 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. If exposed, monitor for symptoms through Mar. 7
Symptoms and prevention
Health officials advise anyone who may have been exposed, especially those who are unvaccinated, to watch for measles symptoms for three weeks from the time of exposure — in this case, the end of February.
Early measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and irritated eyes. Flat, red spots characteristic of a measles rash typically appear near the hairline in three to five days after symptoms begin before spreading to the rest of the body.
Measles can cause severe and life-threatening health complications, including pneumonia and inflammation of the brain. Measles is especially dangerous for children and pregnant or immunocompromised adults.
Officials say the most reliable way to prevent getting sick is to receive two doses of a measles vaccine, commonly administered as the MMR vaccine in early childhood. Adults who are unvaccinated can get a “catch-up” vaccination with their provider.
Missouri health officials reported seven confirmed cases of the measles in the state last year - none of them in the St. Louis region. In Illinois, health officials documented 14 cases statewide in 2025.
Katie Grawitch of St. Louis Public Radio contributed to this story.