UPDATE MARCH 12, 2024: There are now four cases of measles at a Chicago shelter for new migrants, bring the total number of reported measles cases in the city to five.

One of the persons infected by the virus is a student at Philip D. Armour Elementary School, reports CBS News. The child is currently in the hospital but doing well.

ORIGINAL MARCH 11, 2024 ARTICLE:

Measles is continuing to pose problems for schools and healthcare facilities across the country.

In Chicago, two children who live at a Pilsen migrant shelter have been diagnosed with measles, and one was identified as a student attending a public school in Chicago.

The CPS student, who is a young child, has been hospitalized, while the other child has recovered and is no longer infectious, reports ABC7Chicago.

Administrators, staff members, and families of students at the K-12 campus that has been impacted have been informed of the situation and told to keep their children out of school on Friday and Monday. Additionally, residents of the shelter who aren’t vaccinated or are newly vaccinated have been advised to quarantine, however, some who were exposed are no longer at the shelter.

Since last Thursday, three people in the city, including the two children, have contracted the virus. In response to the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be sending a team.

In Sacramento, California, a child who had just returned from international travel tested positive for measles last week after being evaluated at a medical facility in San Joaquin County and UC Davis Medical Center’s emergency department, reports the Sacramento Bee.

The approximately 300 people who were possibly exposed live in 16 Northern California counties and are being contacted by the hospital, reports CNN. People who aren’t vaccinated or don’t know their vaccination status run the risk of contracting the disease.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It can be transmitted four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears. The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately 8 to 14 days, after a person is exposed to someone with measles, with a range of 7 to 21 days. One in five people who contract measles will require hospitalization.

Although the virus was deemed eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, it has made a comeback recently due to vaccine hesitancy and skepticism. Last month, the CDC advised healthcare providers to be “on alert” for patients exhibiting symptoms of measles after nearly two dozen cases were reported in the U.S. in January.

In February, Florida reported ten cases of measles, with seven cases linked to one elementary school in Broward County. The outbreak prompted 20% of the students and six staff members at that school to be absent.

If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content