Chicago public health officials say the measles outbreak, the largest in the United States, is over nearly three months after cases were detected at the city’s migrant shelters.
Chicago and the surrounding area accounted for the majority of the country’s measles cases this year after first turning up in March at a migrant shelter in Pilsen.
Over several months, 64 cases were detected throughout the city. Illinois had just five cases in 2023, which were the first in the state since 2019.
As of last week, there were a total of 142 measles cases across the United States. Nineteen other states reported cases, though there were only nine other areas of the country reporting outbreaks of three or more infections.
The city’s top health official encouraged Chicagoans to get vaccinated.
“Our goal is the elimination of measles in Chicago and everywhere,” said Olusimbo Ige, the city’s public health commissioner. “With proper vaccination coverage, we know that zero is possible.”
Since the first reported Chicago case on March 7, more than 30,000 vaccines have been administered, primarily to migrants in shelters.
The most recent case was reported April 20.
Most cases appear in people who aren’t vaccinated, particularly young children. More than half of the recorded cases in Chicago involved children under 5 years old.
Despite a high vaccination rate, Chicago became a susceptible area to the extremely contagious disease.
A crowded migrant population in shelters combined with a tendency for low vaccination rates in their home countries became a breeding ground for measles, said Dr. Allison Bartlett, a University of Chicago professor and infectious disease specialist.
“The shelter-associated outbreak was a combination of both an initial case in an unvaccinated individual combined with a congregate living situation that made it incredibly easy to spread among a population of incompletely vaccinated individuals,” she said.
After the outbreak began, the city health department began vaccinating migrants before they were placed in shelters.
According to public health officials, the “vast majority” of new arrivals are vaccinated or accept a vaccine.
Measles symptoms generally appear 10 to 14 days after exposure. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A rash can appear three to five days after initial symptoms begin.
“This really was a public health success in terms of ending the outbreak, but we remain at risk at all times for additional measles cases,” Bartlett said.
Since the first reported case on March 7, over 30,000 vaccines have been administered, primarily to migrants in shelters.
By Mariah Rush
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Diseases don’t discriminate, and neither should access to quality healthcare. As we grapple with measles in our backyard, it’s essential to remember our responsibility to those in less-fortunate circumstances.
Another exposure location was reported at the Sam’s Club at 9400 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park, Cook County health officials said Thursday.
By Kade Heather
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The case has no known connection to the Chicago measles outbreak at a migrant shelter, according to health officials.
By Mary Norkol
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Three cases were detected in the last week after the city recorded more than 50 in less than a month.
By Kade Heather
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The resident was exposed during their time at a migrant shelter. They have recovered and are no longer contagious, the Cook County Department of Public Health said.
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.”
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
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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.
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
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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
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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.
The Illinois Health Department said Tuesday it would mobilize resources to help Chicago and Cook County contain the spread of the virus.
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
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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
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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
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Chicago health department officials said the patient has recovered and is no longer contagious. The shelter is on lockdown until residents are vaccinated, officials said.
By Michael Loria
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Measles is a highly transmissible respiratory disease that can be prevented through the MMR vaccine.
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.
The person, who was exposed to the virus in another country, was unvaccinated, the IDPH said.
By Kade Heather
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