United States: The CDC in the United States has counted four instances of the measles disease this week in Chigaco’s Migrant shelter among the children, some of whom are already of school age.
State Health Department on high alert
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) immediately reacted, identifying two adults in the shelter who had tested positive for measles. In spite of the severity of this specific moment, both people acknowledged the current stability of what the US officials revealed.
A school-aged child who was hospitalized at the Pilsen migrant shelter after contracting measles is now in “good condition,” as per the Sunday announcement.
More about the measles cases in the area
The first case of measles was detected in a very young child living in the shelter, who has since recovered from the infection.
In its Monday statement, CDPH stated that it has “assessed nearly all residents of the Pilsen shelter where there have been four confirmed measles cases, and successfully vaccinated more than 900 shelter residents with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
Additionally, it stated, “More than 700 shelter residents who were assessed and found to already be immune from previous Vaccination or infection were allowed to enter and exit the facility. Those who were newly vaccinated were instructed to remain at the shelter for 21 days from the date of Vaccination, which is when the vaccine confers full immunity,” as US News reported.
Experts emphasize Vaccination as the most effective way
CDPH Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo (Simbo) Ige stated, “As long as measles circulates in Chicago, we will continue to take a proactive approach to protect as many people as we can from this highly infectious disease,” as reported by US News.
He added further, “VaccinationVaccination remains by far the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. New arrivals and all Chicagoans should get the MMR vaccine if they haven’t already.”
According to the CDC, an individual who has been in contact with measles but hasn’t shown any symptoms is likely to develop measles if the MMR vaccine is not administered within 72 hours after the contact.
Besides the MMR vaccine, another preventive injection, immune globulin, can be injected just after exposure and for up to six days.
Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), in a letter sent to parents, stated, “Once a student’s vaccination status has been verified, students with confirmed vaccinations will be notified of the date to return to school,” as US News reported.
Measles cases status in Chicago
Last Thursday, Chicago’s first measles case of this year was reported. However, it appeared to be unrelated to the following four cases, as per an NBC News report.
Health specialists from the CDC would be expected to have visited Chicago on Tuesday to discuss the disease control repercussions of the disease.
That is, not only in US, but also worldwide in these times, number of measles cases has been getting higher. In the US, 45 cases have been observed in the early stage of year 2023, and summing up, there are 58 measles cases in 2023.
Reasons behind the rise in measles cases
According to US News reports, there is an observed decrease in vaccine rates regardless of state. In the 2020-21 school year, data from NBC News shows that 92% of kindergarten students were given both doses of MMR vaccines, which is 1% percent less than in the 2019-20 school year.
Measles is highly contagious: An ill person without protection becomes infectious to around 90 people out of 99 other not-immunized people within a period of seven days and sickness duration of about eight days.
Symptoms of measles
Measles symptoms include fever up to 104F degrees, runny eyes, cough, and congestion. About two days after the symptoms start, people often observe small white marks on their mouths. From day three to day five, a blotchy rash, sometimes covering the entire body, becomes apparent, according to the CDC.
Approximately 1 to 3 out of 1,000 children who become infected with measles die due to respiratory and neurological problems. Severe cases of measles can lead to swelling of the retina in the eyes and lasting vision or blindness problems.