The outbreak of measles across the U.S. has been linked to migrant crossings, according to Fox News medical contributor Marc Siegel. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported a second confirmed case of measles in a migrant shelter, marking the city’s first cases in five years. This comes as measles cases have been on the rise globally.
The two cases were identified in new young migrant child arrivals. The first case has recovered and is no longer infectious, while the second is hospitalized in good condition. The CDPH is urging all new arrivals and Chicago residents to be vaccinated against measles to protect themselves and the community.
Residents of the Pilsen shelter who are vaccinated can enter and exit the facility freely, but the unvaccinated and recently vaccinated individuals are being asked to quarantine for three weeks. The health department is emphasizing the importance of vaccination as the best protection against measles.
Symptoms of measles include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The CDPH advises individuals to quarantine immediately if they have been exposed to someone with measles and to contact a health provider. The city of Chicago has taken in over 36,000 migrants since 2022.
No link has been identified between the recent measles case in Chicago and a case in an Indiana resident who visited the city last month. The health department is monitoring the situation closely and encouraging vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease.
