By WMBD-TV

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that the largest measles outbreak to affect the state since 1990 has been contained.

According to the IDPH, no new cases of measles have been reported in the last 42 days.

Since March 7, 67 cases of measles were reported, most of which were connected to a Chicago shelter, but cases eventually spread to beyond Chicago to suburban Cook County, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.

Throughout the outbreak, the IDPH teamed up with the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the Chicago Department of Public Health. They also worked with local health departments in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.

“I applaud all of the public health, health care, emergency management and social service staffers who worked so diligently to cooperate across jurisdictional lines to contain this measles outbreak,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Public health is a team sport founded on partnership, and this was no better exemplified than during this recent outbreak. Vaccination remains our most effective tool to prevent future outbreaks. Please reach out to your primary care provider this summer to ensure that you are up to date on the MMR vaccine and all other routine immunizations.”

According to the IDPH, most residents in Illinois were vaccinated for measles routinely in childhood and therefore were not at risk during the outbreak.

The state’s health department stressed the importance of staying up to date on vaccines, with one dose 93% effective in protecting you against measles, and two doses 97% effective.