CDC sends crew to combat measles outbreak at crowded Chicago migrant shelter with 4 new instances in previous few days

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A migrant shelter in Chicago filled with more than 1,800 residents (including 95 children ages two and under) is experiencing a measles outbreak, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to send a team to help fight the outbreak. Inspired to send. The team is expected to arrive on Tuesday. In the last few days, two children and two adults have been diagnosed with measles. One child has recovered, the other is in hospital in good condition. The two adults who were diagnosed on Monday are reported to be in stable condition. A fifth unrelated case emerged elsewhere in Chicago last week.

A mass vaccination effort took place at the Pilsen migrant shelter over the weekend, with nearly 900 migrants receiving the MMR vaccine. About 700 migrants were assessed as having already been vaccinated or exposed to measles and did not need to isolate. Some unvaccinated immigrants reportedly broke quarantine and left the shelter, according to a statement from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MPH:

“We have advised all unvaccinated and newly vaccinated residents to follow the quarantine period (21 days), but some of those residents have left the shelter, and I want to acknowledge that,” Dr. Ige said. “That's why we strongly advise unvaccinated people to get vaccinated and to quarantine immediately if you've been exposed to someone with measles.”

WMAQ-TV reported on the CDC statement Monday (excerpts):

In a statement, a CDC spokesperson said a team of experts, who will support the local response to the recent measles cases, is expected to arrive on Tuesday.

“CDC continues to recommend safe and effective MMR vaccination as part of the routine vaccination schedule for all children and adults, with special guidance for international travel,” the statement added.

Cook County Health issued a measles warning in English and Spanish on Monday, alerting people who had recently been to two hospitals and a health building:

Health Alert: Potential Measles Risk
A patient suffering from measles infection came to the emergency department of Stroger Hospital on Tuesday, February 27. The patient was admitted under proper isolation and airborne precautions. Anyone who was in the emergency department at Stroger Hospital between 12:00 a.m. and 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 should be contacted by Chicago Public Health Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The department should be contacted at 312-743-7216.

A second patient, who was later diagnosed with measles, presented at CCH's Arlington Heights Health Center and Cook County Health Professional Building on Thursday, March 7. Anyone who was at Arlington Heights Health Center on Thursday, March 7 between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to contact the Cook County Public Health Department at 708-836-8600. Anyone visiting the Cook County Health Professionals Building between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. should contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at 312-743-7216, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- Must be contacted between 5:00 p.m.

Excerpt from a Monday night statement from the Chicago Department of Public Health:

Chicago – In response to the first confirmed measles infection in the city in five years, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) stepped up and expanded coordination with community and healthcare partners, various other city agencies, and the state, county and federal public . Health officials have been asked to prevent the spread of the virus to the maximum extent possible. Unfortunately, the United States is currently experiencing a resurgence of measles, and cases have been reported in 17 states so far.

Two additional cases of measles have been identified at the Halsted Street shelter in Pilsen, bringing the total number of cases at the shelter to four. These two new cases are in adults, and both are stable. There have been five confirmed cases in the city, including one additional case unrelated to the new arrivals last week. Since few Chicagoans overall have been vaccinated, the opportunity for the virus to spread remains. Therefore, CDPH is treating this response as a citywide response and is calling on all eligible unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated now. Most Chicagoans are routinely vaccinated in childhood and so are not at high risk.

Over the weekend and in partnership with Cook County Health, Rush University Medical Center and the University of Illinois-Chicago, CDPH evaluated nearly all residents of the Pilsen shelter, where four cases of measles have been confirmed, and more than 900 shelter residents. Vaccination was done successfully. Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. More than 700 shelter residents who were evaluated and found to be already immune from previous vaccination or infection were allowed to enter and exit the facility. People who have been newly vaccinated have been instructed to shelter in place for 21 days from the date of vaccination, which is when the vaccine provides full immunity.

“This is a big operation and I thank my many colleagues who are assisting in this and thank the new arrivals for understanding the need for vaccination and quarantine. As long as measles continues to spread in Chicago, we will continue to take a proactive approach to protecting as many people as possible from this highly infectious disease,” said CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo ‘Simbo’ Ige, MD, MPH. “Vaccination is by far the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. “New arrivals and all Chicagoans should get the MMR vaccine if they haven’t already.”

Other developments in response on Monday:

CDPH and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications have established a permanent presence at the new arrivals landing zone site, providing MMR doses to unvaccinated individuals arriving in Chicago as part of their intake process. All new arrivals awaiting appointment to the landing zone who have been vaccinated or have provided proof of vaccination will be housed in temporary shelters.

On Monday, several dozen residents of the Pilsen shelter who were immune from previous vaccination or infection were moved to an alternative site to enhance quarantine logistics. The city will continue to move immunized residents as well as those who need to quarantine to designated hotel locations.

Provider teams are being directed to other new arrivals shelters across Chicago to provide MMR vaccinations to those in need and reduce the spread of measles in new settings.

WBBM-TV's report on the outbreak says health screenings for immigrants have been inconsistent:

Consultant Lance Gooden (R-TX) asks, “There was an outbreak of measles at an unlawful alien shelter in Chicago. The Democrats locked down People due to a cold-like virus. So why wouldn't they shut the border?”

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