In response to a measles outbreak at a temporary shelter housing migrants in Chicago, the city's Department of Public Health has announced that all eligible individuals at the shelter have now been vaccinated. This comes as Illinois joins the list of 17 states that have reported measles cases this year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak was first identified when the city reported its first measles case since 2019. However, the initial case was unrelated to the migrant shelter. Since then, two more cases of measles in children have been identified in the city, bringing the total number of cases to 10.

One of the affected children resides at the migrant shelter located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, while the other child lives in a different part of the city. The shelter has been declared as the epicenter of the measles outbreak.

The overcrowded shelter, originally designed to accommodate around 1,000 people, currently houses approximately 1,900 individuals. This has created challenges in managing the outbreak due to the highly contagious nature of the virus, which can easily spread through the air and contaminated surfaces.

To combat the emergency situation, the Chicago Department of Public Health mobilized its medical directors, staff, and other relevant departments, along with public health officials, to swiftly administer vaccinations to as many people at the shelter as possible. The efforts involved long shifts and an unprecedented operation to ensure mass vaccination, screening, and education.

Out of the 1,900 individuals housed at the shelter, about 999 have been vaccinated and are immune to measles, according to Dr. Olusimbo "Simbo" Ige, the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. The remaining eligible individuals have recently been vaccinated and are expected to quarantine for the next 21 days to allow the vaccine's full protection to take effect.

Those immune to measles have been provided with cards permitting them to come and go, while those who are not immune have been given cards instructing them to quarantine within the shelter. Daily monitoring for symptoms and necessary medical care will be provided to all residents.

Measles is highly contagious, with unvaccinated individuals having a 90% chance of contracting the virus if exposed. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing 97% protection against measles and one dose offering 93% protection.

The CDC confirmed that measles had been eliminated from the United States in 2000, but recent declines in vaccinations and increased global measles activity have contributed to its resurgence. To mitigate the risk of severe illness among vulnerable populations, such as families with young children or pregnant individuals who are not yet eligible for vaccination, the Chicago Department of Public Health has arranged for their relocation to a separate off-site location.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has requested assistance from the CDC, resulting in a team of experts being sent to Chicago to provide guidance and support.

Dr. Manisha Patel, the chief medical officer at the CDC, emphasized the importance of vaccination and highlighted the increased risk of measles transmission during forthcoming spring break travel.

The city of Chicago, committed to safeguarding the health of its new arrivals, is working tirelessly to contain and protect against the spread of measles amidst this unprecedented situation.