Second measles case confirmed at Chicago migrant shelter

CHICAGO (NewsNation) — A second case of measles has been reported at a migrant shelter in Chicago, raising concerns about the potential for a larger outbreak due to the high number of unvaccinated asylum-seekers.

According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, this is the second case among young children confirmed at a shelter in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood.

The first case marked the first occurrence in five years since the last case was identified in Chicago, the health department said. The first child who was infected has since recovered, and the second child is hospitalized in good condition.

This development coincides with a surge in highly contagious viruses reported nationwide and globally in recent months.

As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 45 measles cases spanning 17 states. In the Sacramento area, a child tested positive for measles this past week, potentially exposing more than 300 people, according to El Dorado County Health officials.

Authorities attribute the recent increase in measles cases nationwide and globally to a decrease in vaccination rates.

Measles, a highly contagious respiratory infection, can cause a rash and high fever. It can lead to pneumonia and other complications. Symptoms may begin similarly to a cold, with a high fever, runny nose and watery eyes, then, within three to five days, a blotchy red rash will appear.

According to the CDC, about 90% of people exposed to the virus and not immune will become infected.

Health care leaders warn about the risk of widespread outbreaks in migrant shelters, where vaccination rates are low and migrants often sleep in close proximity to each other.

“It is so hard to contain some things and it’s through nobody’s fault. So, we don’t want to attach stigmas or anything. It is the situation they’re in,” said Jaime Groth Searle, founder of The Southwest Collective.

“It is a large, wide-open building with an open floor plan with a bunch of cots basically so everybody’s in there shoulder to shoulder on cots basically at night,” she continued.

Chicago leaders are actively striving to vaccinate more migrants in their shelters. People who haven’t been vaccinated are required to quarantine for 21 days.

Health care leaders in Chicago anticipate further cases and urge unvaccinated individuals to remain at home and seek medical advice by contacting their doctor.