DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - According to the CDC, there have been 378 confirmed cases of measles in the United States. This is in comparison to 285 in all of 2024. Of the 17 states with cases currently, two border Illinois: Indiana and Kentucky. 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at OSF Healthcare, Dana Deshon, said measles spreads  easily because of symptoms take a while to show. 

"You're contagious four days before that rash and up to four days after," said Deshon. "We can have 8 to 10 days of people walking around and not even knowing that they have measles, and then they're just spreading it all around to those people that are that are at risk. " 

Deshon said those who are pregnant, immune-compromised, or under the age of one are at an enhanced risk for measles. When people can't get vaccinated, it's crucial for those who can, to do so. 

The Kaiser Family Foundation says vaccination rates in many states have fallen below 95%, which is necessary to establish herd immunity. Deshon said higher vaccination rates are the best way to stop the spread of all the cases statewide. She says receiving one dose of the measles vaccine is 93% effective, and receiving two doses is 97% effective. 

"We need vaccinations," said Deshon. "That is what's going to stop the outbreaks that we are seeing, not just in West Texas, but all over in these pockets that we're seeing in the United States right now."

If you aren't sure of your vaccination status, you should talk to your primary care doctor. 

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