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Measles cases rose in Chicago in March, and are now seeing a slight decline. Locally, in early April, the disease was detected at Murray Language Academy. Murray Language Academy, 5335 S. Kenwood Ave., reported at least one measles case, joining other schools and pharmacy locations in the city where the disease has been detected. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) identified the first measles case in Chicago in early March. The last time a measles case was identified in Chicago was in 2019, per CDPH. However, this year, there has also been a nationwide resurgence in cases. And since then, 64 cases of the disease have been diagnosed in the city, which is half of all cases reported nationwide. The American Medical Association attributes this, in part, to the lower number of young children and adolescents who received the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic and growing anti-vaccine sentiment. Last school year, 86% of Murray students were vaccinated against measles. Since March, cases have also been identified at the city's temporary shelters for migrants. In response, CDPH and the Office of Emergency Management are now vaccinating people arriving at the "landing zone," the area where buses transporting migrants into the state are supposed to drop people off, and at shelters. Cases peaked at the end of March in Chicago, with 14 cases reported on March 24, per CDPH's dashboard. Since April, around one case every other day has been identified in the city. As of the April 30 dashboard, no additional cases had been reported since April 20. Allison Bartlett, professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Comer Children's Hospital, 5721 S. Maryland Ave., said they saw around a dozen cases starting in February through the end of March, primarily linked to a measles outbreak at the city's largest migrant shelter in Pilsen in late March. The majority of the cases did not require hospitalization, Barlett said. She has not seen any cases in April. "Measles is such a contagious disease that the vaccination coverage needs to be exceedingly high, over 95% to really prevent the spread of infection," Bartlett said. "So the concern is that there are certainly populations and communities where we're not reaching that really high threshold." This is the percentage most health experts agree is needed to achieve herd immunity. She said the most common symptoms of measles are a fever, accompanied by a cough, runny nose, watery, red eyes and a rash that develops. "The tricky thing about measles is that the characteristic rash does not develop for several days," Bartlett said. Measles was declared "eliminated" in the United States in 2000 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but remains common in many other parts of the world, and therefore can be carried by those traveling internationally. The disease can be dangerous to babies and young children under 5, per CDPH. Adults over 20 years of age, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are also more likely to suffer from complications. To combat the spread, CDPH is encouraging people to get their MMR vaccination, if they have not already. The vaccine is available at most doctor's offices and pharmacies, as well as at CDPH's Immunization Clinics. Bartlett noted that the second dose of the MMR vaccine is typically given around four or five years of age, but can be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose, for children in school or childcare settings. More than 90% of Chicago residents have already received this vaccine, per Chicago Public Schools (CPS), however at individual schools — where the disease has the potential to spread quickly — vaccination rates can vary. "The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority and that is why Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is working closely with our City partners, including the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to respond to reported positive measles cases in our schools," a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. "We will continue to provide resources, support, and information to our entire community to ensure our valued staff and families have the appropriate information to stay safe. Vaccination is one of the best tools to protect loved ones from severe childhood illness like measles."