A recent measles outbreak in Chicago has escalated, with three more cases diagnosed at a migrant shelter, raising the city’s total cases to eight this year. The Chicago Department of Public Health revealed the additional cases following earlier diagnoses of two adults and a hospitalized young child at the same shelter. All cases this year have emerged since March, primarily linked to this shelter, known as the city’s “new arrivals mission.”
Philip D. Armour Elementary School, where the first hospitalized child attends, has taken precautions by advising shelter residents not to attend school temporarily. Chicago Public Schools and the health department are collaborating to manage potential exposures and promote vaccination.
The outbreak, the city’s first since 2019, aligns with a global increase in measles cases and a decline in vaccination rates. The United States has seen a rise in measles this year, with notable outbreaks in Pennsylvania and Florida.
In response to the Chicago outbreak, health officials have conducted extensive vaccination efforts at the shelter, vaccinating over 900 residents. However, unvaccinated individuals or those uncertain of their status were advised to quarantine for 21 days.
The city’s health department is also taking steps to relocate some shelter residents and continue vaccination efforts for incoming migrants. Parents are urged to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up to date, as declining vaccination rates in schools pose a concern for public health.
Measles, a highly contagious virus, can lead to serious complications and even fatalities, especially in children. The effectiveness of the MMR vaccine is high, with one dose being 93% effective and two doses 97% effective. The outbreak highlights the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of measles and protect public health.