5 more measles cases bring Chicago’s outbreak total to 31

Five more measles cases were reported by Chicago health officials Tuesday.

The city has reported 31 measles cases since an outbreak in early March. Those were the first cases of the disease detected in Chicago since 2019.

Children ages 4 and younger account for 21 of the city’s total cases, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Many of the measles cases have been reported at a migrant shelter in Pilsen, where residents were urged to receive a second dose of the measles vaccine 28 days after the first shot, health officials said Monday.

The 31 measles cases in Chicago make up almost all of the cases this year in Illinois. Lake and Will counties each have reported one case, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Illinois hasn’t had this many measles cases in a year in at least 15 years, according to the IDPH. The most recent year with double-digit cases was 2015, when 17 measles cases were reported in the state.

Cases of the disease have soared this year, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 64 measles cases in the U.S. as of March 21. The agency reported 58 cases in all of 2023.

Symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes can emerge within a week or two of exposure to the virus, according to the CDC. A rash can appear three to five days after initial symptoms begin.

The “highly infectious” virus is spread through coughing, sneezing or contact with an infected person, and the virus can live for up to two hours in the air after an infected person has left a space, according to the CDC. Those with the virus can spread it up to four days before and after a rash appears, and 90% of people without immunity who are exposed to the virus become infected.

Health officials say vaccination is the key way to avoid getting measles and spreading it.

A CDC team has been assisting the city in responding to the infections.

Chicago measles coverage

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News

Measles case confirmed in suburban Cook County, 52 cases reported in Chicago

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Health

'Small number' of tuberculosis infections detected at migrant shelters, says city health department

The Chicago Department of Public Health would not reveal the number of TB cases or identify shelters. A health department spokesperson said, “I would not characterize this as an outbreak.”

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Health

5 more measles cases bring Chicago’s outbreak total to 31

Children ages 4 and younger account for 21 of the city’s total cases, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Officials say vaccination is the best way to prevent measles and stop its spread.

By Kade Heather

 

News

2nd dose of measles vaccine can slow outbreak, Chicago health officials say

Residents at the Pilsen migrant shelter should receive a second measles shot 28 days after their first one, the city’s Department of Public Health advised.

By Cindy Hernandez

 

Immigration

Day 4 of Chicago migrant evictions: Mayor Johnson urged to end them

The city began evicting migrants from its 23 shelters, affecting potentially 2,000 people by the end of April. Alderpersons are calling for a halt and greater transparency.

By Michael Loria

 

Health

2 more measles cases bring Chicago’s outbreak total to 15

The newest cases were both in children 4 years or younger, the same age group that has accounted for more than half of the city’s cases.

By Kade Heather

 

Immigration

Chicago slowly starts evicting migrants from shelters

Dozens of adults were expected to be evicted Sunday, amid an outbreak of measles, but just three were. They will be able to reapply for shelter at the city’s designated ‘landing zone.’

By Michael Loria

 

Immigration

Migrant evictions to begin Sunday; families in shelters get a reprieve

Beginning with 35 individuals Sunday, more than 2,000 people will be evicted by the end of April, the city announced Friday. Families will get a break until the end of the school year.

By Michael Loria and Fran Spielman

 

Immigration

What will Chicago migrant shelter evictions look like?

An untold number of migrants are expected to have to leave shelters Saturday, and what comes next is a mystery to many — perhaps “la calle,” one man said, gesturing toward Halsted Street.

By Michael Loria

 

Health

2 CPS students reported to have measles as new cases climb to 12, officials say

Earlier this week, Chicago Public Schools learned of a positive measles case involving a student at Philip D. Armour Elementary School, and the Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed another case at Cooper Dual Language Elementary Academy.

By Mohammad Samra

 

Editorials

Chicago's measles flare-up shows why vaccination is essential

Illinois is one of 17 states in which dozens of measles cases have been reported this year, including eight cases in a Chicago migrant shelter.

By CST Editorial Board

 

Immigration

Mayor Johnson confirms migrant evictions coming, despite measles outbreak and protests

Chicago’s mayor said the 60-day limit on shelter stays would, after previous delays, finally be enforced Saturday, impacting potentially thousands. There would, however, continue to be exemptions.

By Fran Spielman and Michael Loria

 

Health

Three more measles cases reported at Pilsen migrant shelter, bringing citywide total to eight

The Illinois Health Department said Tuesday it would mobilize resources to help Chicago and Cook County contain the spread of the virus.

By Cindy Hernandez

 

Health

Two more measles cases identified at Pilsen migrant shelter

The newest cases were both in adults at the shelter. The city’s total number of cases is up to five, the city health department says. More than 900 residents of the shelter were vaccinated over the weekend and are being quarantined for 21 days.

By Violet Miller

 

Health

Second case of measles found in child at Pilsen shelter, city's third case this week

The city health agency is currently screening other residents of the shelter at 2241 S. Halsted St. and those who may have come in contact with the children while they were contagious, officials said in a Sunday news release.

By Violet Miller

 

Immigration

With shelter evictions looming, migrants worry about access to housing, work permits

Dozens gathered Saturday in Pritzker Park to protest Mayor Brandon Johnson’s long-delayed plan to evict migrants living in shelters longer than 60 days. The order will go into effect March 16.

By Erica Thompson

 

Immigration

Measles reported at Chicago migrant shelter

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By Michael Loria

 

Health

Chicago reports first measles cases since 2019, including child at Pilsen migrant shelter

Measles is a highly transmissible respiratory disease that can be prevented through the MMR vaccine.

By Phyllis Cha and Mary Norkol

 

Editorials

Measles outbreak shows the importance of getting kids vaccinated

None of the 23 measles cases in the U.S. between Dec. 1 and Jan. 23 were in Illinois. But the first measles cases since 2019 were reported in Cook County last year, and Illinois has seen an alarming uptick in the number of schools with low vaccination rates.

By CST Editorial Board

 

Health

Illinois reports first measles case in 4 years

The person, who was exposed to the virus in another country, was unvaccinated, the IDPH said.

By Kade Heather