CDC Team Joins Efforts to Address 8 Cases of Measles in Chicago Migrant Shelter

Eight people residing in a migrant shelter in Chicago have been diagnosed with measles in the previous week.This concern has led to the deployment of a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help city and state authorities respond to the epidemic, including by regulating vaccination initiatives.

Rising Measles Cases in Chicago Migrant Shelter

Since Thursday, a total of ten measles cases have been recorded in the city, recognizing the first instance of local measles transmission since 2019, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Two of these cases comprise of persons who are not residents of the shelter, which includes one adult and one child.

Measles remains an infectious virus that is common in many countries outside the United States. According to the CDC, cases in the US commonly begin from international travelers, particularly unvaccinated Americans.

The initial case at the shelter, which accommodates approximately 1,900 people, was publicly reported by the city on Friday. Subsequent cases among shelter residents quickly followed, with three confirmed on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Among those infected, there are five children and four adults.

Nearly 900 residents have received vaccines since Thursday night. It's crucial to note that the measles vaccine is not advisable for pregnant women or infants under one year old.

Local Authorities Take Measures to Protect the Health of Migrants

Dr. Olusimbo Ige, Chicago's public health Commissioner, stressed that the measles cases were obtained within the city rather than being brought in by new arrivals. Efforts to protect the health of migrants have been taken vigorously by local authorities.

The situation at the city-run shelter highlights Chicago's intricate answer to the influx of nearly 37,000 migrants since 2022, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began directing buses to the so-called sanctuary cities.

Initially, police stations and airports were utilized as temporary shelters, but efforts were made to locate additional accommodations.

As of Tuesday, over 11,000 individuals remain in city-run shelters, where the medical care, along with vaccinations and treatment for health circumstances resulting from difficult journeys, is given.

Many migrants arriving in Chicago come from Venezuela, where a mixture of social, political, and economic crises has led to extensive poverty and a breakdown in routine healthcare services. Cook County officials established a clinic in 2022 to offer urgent care, vaccinations, and access to other public health services.

Criticism has been directed at the circumstances within the city's refuge, particularly following the death of a 5-year-old boy in December, who fell sick while staying at the same shelter where the measles cases began.

Volunteer organizations argue that the current situation reflects a long-standing failure of city, county, state, and federal governments to adequately address the health needs of new arrivals. They advocate for comprehensive screening and vaccination protocols, akin to those historically implemented at Ellis Island over a century ago.