Since the beginning of the year, the U.S. has experienced a concerning rise in cases of measles across the country. A total of more than 58 cases have been reported across 17 states as of March 2024. This is more than the 53 cases that were reported for the whole year of 2023. It is believed that due to a lack of vaccines for the virus as well as a spike in global traveling.
US Measles Outbreak
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Measles has been eradicated in the US since 2000. This has been accredited to the success of the vaccine for the virus
However, The World Health Organization and the CDC stated that measles was having a global uptick after cases had risen 18% from 2021 to 2022. Measles can be easily treated with the two-dose vaccine.
The virus is transmitted via air, such as a sneeze or a cough. Measles doesn’t tend to be fatal, however, there can be complications for very young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Some of the states that are dealing with the virus outbreaks have reported more cases than others.
In Florida, ten cases were reported from two elementary schools located in Broward County as well as Poly County.
In Pennsylvania, there were nine cases announced in January, however towards the end of
February the outbreak was considered to be officially over when there were no more reported cases for a full month.
Furthermore, Washington state had six cases this year. Arizona and California only reported four cases, and Michigan and Minnesota only had three. Most of the other state’s cases didn’t go over more than two cases in 2024.
This is in contrast to Illinois which had the most reported measles outbreaks. As of March 18th, there were 15 reported cases in Chicago. The majority of these cases are all linked to a migrant shelter in the Pilsen area of Chicago.
It has also been announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has sent a squad to the migrant shelter to help contain the outbreak.
Chicago’s Cases
Chicago seems to have been hit the hardest this year when it comes to the outbreak of the virus. The close quarters of the shelter as well as a lack of safe sanitary and medical help seem to be conducive to the rapid spread of the virus.
There are a few cases that seem to originate from two CPS elementary schools. The two CPS schools where the cases came from were Philip D. Armour Elementary School and Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy.
The other children who attend the schools and their families have all been informed of the incident. They also have been informed about what symptoms to look for and the risks that can come with the measles virus.
Furthermore, there have been more than 900 measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines that arrived at the Pilsen shelter last weekend. The Chicago health officials also made a statement that they will be doing screenings on those who have been in contact with those who were infected.
In addition, they have transported exposed families from the shelters to undisclosed hotel rooms to lessen the chance of further cross-contamination. This has mostly been done for pregnant women as well as young babies. Both pregnant women and small babies are not able to safely get vaccinated.
So far it has been stated a total of 98 migrants have been moved from the Halsted shelter to a hotel, and 48 of them have been reported to be children.
The CDC recommends that babies are vaccinated for measles at around 12 to 15 months of age. A 21-day quarantine period is recommended by health officials for those who have come into contact with the virus.
How Chicago is combatting
Chicago officials have also stated that the virus didn’t come with the migrants in the shelter, but had already been around through the city. Pritzker had made a statement about the outbreak.
Pritzker stated that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is currently working with the Chicago Public Health Department (CDPH). Both departments are looking to eradicate the outbreak, especially in shelters, control the spread from those already infected, and get more vaccines for those who haven’t been.
Health officials are looking to have a 95% vaccination rate at six shelters across Chicago.
Chicago Health officials also have made a public statement for citizens to take preventative care to avoid contamination, especially if they are in close contact with those who can’t be vaccinated.
Written By AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
Forbes– U.S. Measles Outbreak 2024: Number Already Equals Last Year’s Total
CDC– Measles Cases and Outbreaks
ABC 7 Chicago– Measles outbreak Chicago affects students at 2 CPS schools; state moves exposed migrants to hotels
CBS News– 15 measles cases now confirmed in Chicago since beginning of March
Featured Image Courtesy of EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid’s Flickr– Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of frankieleon’s Flickr – Creative Commons License
