In response to a recent measles outbreak in a temporary shelter housing migrants in Chicago, the Department of Public Health has successfully vaccinated all eligible individuals. This comes after the city reported its first measles case since 2019, with a total of 10 cases identified.
Two more cases of measles in children have been confirmed, with one child attending a school in the Pilsen neighborhood and the other residing in a different part of the city. The shelter, originally intended for 1,000 people, currently houses 1,900 individuals, including eight migrants who tested positive for measles.
City officials have initiated an emergency response to vaccinate as many people in the shelter as possible, with 999 out of 1,900 already vaccinated and the remaining eligible individuals receiving recent vaccinations. Those who have been recently vaccinated are expected to quarantine for 21 days, while infants under 1 year and expectant mothers have been moved to an off-site location for safety.
To assist with the outbreak, Chicago has requested help from the CDC, which has sent a team of experts to provide guidance. The CDC is focusing on improving vaccination rates among children to prevent future outbreaks and health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent the spread of measles.
It is stressed that vaccination is crucial for everyone, not just migrants in shelters, to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases. The efforts in Chicago serve as a reminder of the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations to ensure the health and safety of the community.
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