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The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed three more
cases of measles at a migrant shelter. That brings the total
cases to eight, with seven of them contained to shelters.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
announced that it was sending a team to Chicago to help support
local and state health officials in their fight against the
highly contagious disease.
According to the World Health Organization, measles can easily
spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The
first symptoms of a measles infection include high fever,
coughing, and red, watery eyes.
“I was the one who called the White House to make sure that the
CDC would be coming to Chicago to advise and make sure that the
actions that are being taken now are put in place,” Gov. J.B.
Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference Wednesday.
This week, about 900 measles vaccinations have been administered
at the shelter where the first cases were found. It can take up
to two weeks for the vaccine to take full effect.
State officials have been moving migrant families who have been
exposed to measles at shelters to hotels, with an emphasis on
pregnant women and babies.
“Because of how contagious measles is, I anticipate seeing more
cases. Should you be exposed to someone who has measles, if you
are not vaccinated you need to immediately quarantine and call a
health provider. If you are not sure of your vaccination status,
stay home and call your health provider as soon as possible,”
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo
“Simbo” Ige said in a statement.
As of last week, the CDC said there have been 45 cases of
measles across the country this year.
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