A second child residing at the migrant shelter in Pilsen has been diagnosed with measles and is currently hospitalized in good condition, announced city health officials on Sunday.
In response to the apparent measles outbreak, a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is en route to Chicago to assist the Chicago Department of Public Health.
City health officials have requested the 1,896 residents of the former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. to quarantine until their vaccination status can be determined.
Those who are unvaccinated or newly vaccinated are advised to remain in the shelter for 21 days, the incubation period for the disease.
Chicago Health Officials (Credits: CBS News)
Despite these recommendations, some residents have left the shelter, prompting Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige to acknowledge their departure. Ige emphasized the importance of vaccination for all Chicagoans to protect themselves and their communities.
With measles being highly contagious, Ige anticipates more cases and urges unvaccinated individuals to immediately quarantine if exposed to the disease. The first child diagnosed with measles, too young to attend school, has recovered and is no longer infectious.
Measles Outbreak (Credits: World Socialist Web Site)
Before the recent cases, Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez stated that 95 children between the ages of 1 and 2 resided at the shelter.
There are 11,689 individuals in 23 city shelters who have arrived in Chicago from the southern border, with the Pilsen shelter being the largest and the subject of complaints about unsanitary conditions.
The measles cases announced Sunday mark the third case of the disease identified by health officials in Chicago since Thursday. City health officials are seeking individuals who were at Swedish Hospital’s Galter Medical Pavilion and the No. 92 CTA bus on Feb. 27.
Measles is a serious respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia and other complications. Symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
The MMR vaccine is highly effective and remains the best protection against measles. Last year, Illinois health officials confirmed five cases of measles.
