Three more people in a Chicago migrant shelter have been confirmed to have the measles, bringing the total number of cases in the city to five since the year began.
The Chicago Department of Public Health disclosed on Monday that two adults within the shelter had tested positive and were currently in stable condition.
Chicago Child Hospitalized, School-Aged Shelter Residents Urged to Stay Home
This revelation followed Sunday’s announcement regarding a young child from the shelter who had been hospitalized due to measles but was reported to be in “good condition.”
The child in question attends Philip D. Armour Elementary School, a public institution. Consequently, the health department urged school-aged shelter residents to refrain from attending school on both Friday and Monday.
Pedro Martinez, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, emphasized in a letter to families on Monday that once a student’s vaccination status is confirmed, those with verified vaccinations would be informed of the date to resume school activities.
The school system has also pledged to collaborate with the health department to address potential measles exposures.
The initial measles case identified at the shelter involved a young child who has since recovered and is no longer contagious, according to the health department. Notably, the first measles case in Chicago this year, announced on Thursday, appears unrelated to the subsequent cases, with health officials asserting that the individual was not infectious as of the preceding Wednesday.
To address the escalating situation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has dispatched a team of experts to Chicago, slated to arrive on Tuesday, to bolster efforts aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.
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Measles Resurgence Hits Chicago
These cases mark the first instances of measles in Chicago since 2019, although Cook County, inclusive of Chicago, recorded five cases within an apartment building last year.
Globally, measles incidents have surged in recent months, partially attributed to a decline in vaccine coverage. In the United States alone, there have been at least 45 reported cases this year, surpassing the total recorded in 2023.
Pennsylvania documented nine cases between December and January, while an outbreak in Florida ballooned to 10 cases last month. However, no new cases have been reported at the elementary school central to the Florida outbreak since February 16, according to the state health department.
The Chicago health department has initiated extensive screening and vaccination efforts at the migrant shelter, situated in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood, since Friday. Over the weekend, nearly all shelter residents were assessed, with more than 900 individuals receiving vaccinations.
Shelter residents who remain unvaccinated, have recently received vaccination, or are uncertain about their vaccination status have been instructed to observe a 21-day quarantine period.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by residents departing the shelter, Dr. Simbo Ige, Chicago’s public health commissioner, emphasized the importance of adherence to quarantine directives.
Furthermore, the health department disclosed on Monday that certain shelter residents are being relocated to alternative sites or hotel accommodations, contingent on their immunity status and quarantine obligations.
Additionally, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines will be made available to migrants in other shelters and those arriving in Chicago as part of their intake process.
Given the highly contagious nature of measles, vaccination is paramount. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Vax Verify tool facilitates the verification of vaccination records for individuals immunized in the state since 2007.
Despite nationwide declines in vaccination rates, the effectiveness of the MMR vaccine remains critical in mitigating the spread of measles. Children in the United States typically receive their first measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. The CDC reports that one dose is 93% effective, while two doses provide 97% effectiveness against the disease.
Measles symptoms encompass a high fever, cough, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and runny nose, often accompanied by tiny white spots in the mouth and a blotchy rash that develops from head to toe.
While symptoms typically endure for ten days, severe complications such as brain swelling, pneumonia, or secondary bacterial infections can arise, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. Measles can also result in long-term vision impairment or blindness in rare cases.
As the city grapples with this resurgence of measles, concerted efforts in vaccination, surveillance, and public health education remain imperative to safeguarding community health and preventing further transmission of the disease.
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