Measles in Chicago: Cases rise to 12 as health officials mobilize to contain outbreak
CHICAGO - Health authorities at the local, state, and federal levels are working in conjunction to manage the recent measles outbreak in Chicago.
Two new cases were announced on Thursday, bringing the total to 12 — six adults and six children. All but two cases were linked to the migrant shelter in Pilsen.
Illinois is among 17 states currently grappling with measles outbreaks. Experts say it's due to declining vaccination rates and global migration.
Measles, a highly contagious respiratory infection, can linger in the air for up to two hours, with symptoms potentially appearing days after exposure.
Health experts emphasize that the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine – required for school-age children in many states, including Illinois – offers the best protection against the virus.
Pregnant women and babies younger than 12 months should not receive the vaccine; however, those groups are also at highest risk of complications if they were to contract measles.
As cases rise, health experts and local officials say the general public shouldn't panic.
"The vast majority of Chicagoans are vaccinated," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Still, doctors warn that additional measles cases should be expected.
"It’s not that folks are coming here, seeking shelter and then they’re bringing diseases, this is happening in the context of everyone being in a shelter together," said Dr. Stephanie Liou, director of pediatrics, Alivio Medical Center.
Two of the city's 12 cases are unrelated to the Halsted Street shelter in Pilsen. There, ten migrants have now contracted measles, according to health officials. Officials have also confirmed that at least two of the children with measles attend Chicago Public Schools.
One attends Philip D. Armour Elementary School in Bridgeport, and another is a student at Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy near 19th and Paulina streets.
"The health, safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority and that is why Chicago Public Schools continues to work closely with our city partners, including the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to respond to any unvaccinated students, and two reported positive measles cases involving CPS students," a CPS spokesperson said. "We will continue to provide resources, support and information to our entire community to ensure our valued staff and families have the appropriate information to stay safe. CPS provides multiple opportunities for vaccination as well as resources for community-based services and we work closely with families to help them be up-to date on all vaccinations as it is known as one of the best tools to protect our youth from severe childhood illness."
Migrant families exposed to measles at Pilsen shelter quarantining in Chicago hotel
Several migrant families who have been exposed to measles at the Pilsen shelter are quarantining at a Chicago hotel to help mitigate the spread.
On Wednesday morning, CDPH's Health Commissioner, alongside other department experts, conducted an online Q&A session detailing recent vaccination efforts at the Pilsen shelter, where they inoculated nearly 900 residents lacking prior protection.
"Throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we worked 12–16-hour shifts in the shelter to vaccinate everyone who lacked verification of prior vaccination. We assessed individuals to ensure vaccination suitability and verified those with records from the state, Cook County, or their home country indicating adequate immunity," said Dr. Alexander Sloboda, director of Immunizations & Vaccinations, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Still, it begs the question – why did it take an outbreak for hundreds of shelter residents to be vaccinated?
Dr. Liou of Alivio Medical Center in Pilsen says she has learned from patients that before last week, the process of screening and vaccinating migrants has not been coordinated or robust.
"It’s very inconsistent as to who has received screenings, who has had their vaccine records reviewed, in some cases we’ve seen folks who had vaccine records but said that nobody ever asked for them," said Liou. "For a lot of folks, they haven’t had consistent access to healthcare, so they may not know what they need, what they’re missing."
Alivio Medical Center has been crucial in providing accessible healthcare to migrants since they began arriving to Chicago from Texas.
Liou says a team of nurses from the clinic assisted the city’s health department in providing vaccines at the Pilsen shelter last weekend.
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, (25th Ward) says he and his team have also been on-hand at the shelter to help.
"Representatives from the CDC arrived in Chicago to support the response by providing guidance for symptom monitoring protocols, quarantine and isolation practices specific to shelter settings, and coordination for the ongoing vaccination campaign across Chicago's various new arrival shelters," said Sigcho-Lopez.
At the Pilsen shelter, he says newly vaccinated residents are "strongly encouraged" to quarantine for 21 days until the vaccine offers full protection.
At the city's landing zone, where new arrivals are dropped off, CDPH has established a standing presence to administer measles vaccinations as migrants disembark buses.
"We strongly rebuke rhetoric and actions that further stigmatize or criminalize our new neighbors. Our communities must come together around our common humanity and our office is committed to ensuring that everyone in our communities has the opportunity to feel safe and welcome," said Sigcho-Lopez.
Three migrant buses were expected to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening, FOX 32 Chicago saw migrants at the landing zone being served food and waiting on CTA buses for their next steps.
This all comes as the city's 60-day shelter limit looms for many migrants – and is set to take effect this Saturday, March 16.