Babies diagnosed with measles at Illinois daycare center

PALATINE, Ill. -- Many parents in the northwest suburb of Chicago are watching for symptoms of measles after five children under the age of 1 were diagnosed with the virus.

All five went to the same KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine. Lab testing confirmed measles in two of them. The three other children showing symptoms are waiting for results. Health officials said there is a good chance they may have the virus as well.

The five babies were not immunized because the measles vaccine is not available for children under 12 months. Health officials are concerned about the other infants at the Palatine KinderCare. Up to 10 are being watched and will remain at home for 21 days.

Children who attend the Palatine daycare center who are over the age of 1 are not believed to be at risk. The building was thoroughly cleaned following the diagnoses.

A spokeswoman said KinderCare does not require children to be vaccinated. She said some parents opt out for medical or religious reasons.

"Obviously there are those of us who really believe in vaccinations, there are those that can't and there are those that won't," said Elizabeth Gharagozlou, a Palatine KinderCare parent.

Aside from opting out, children are required to have shots at public schools or state-licensed daycares.

"All daycare centers should be checking the immunization status of their attendees to make sure they are fully protected so they don't get sick themselves, and then bring it back to their classmates who may be too young to get vaccinated," said Dr. Julie Morita, Acting Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

"Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated," said a spokesperson for Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy group.

The measles virus is transmitted through coughing or sneezing. It can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

In Illinois, nearly 95 percent of kindergartners get the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella - the same as the U.S. average.

"The MMR vaccine is strongly endorsed by medical and public health experts as safe and effective," said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Medical Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Investigators are looking into how the cluster started in Palatine. Last week, county officials announced Illinois' first case of measles in the northwest suburbs. Heath officials do not believe that case is linked with the daycare cluster.