CPS Student With Measles Hospitalized, Is Chicago's 3rd Case In Days

CHICAGO — Chicago health officials on Sunday announced the city’s third measles case in less than a week and its second to come out of a migrant shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood.

The latest patient is a young child who attends a Chicago public school, district CEO Pedro Martinez said in a message to families. The child is hospitalized in good condition, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Authorities were working to screen and vaccinate shelter residents, the health department said, adding the first person at the shelter to contract measles was also a young child but that they have recovered and are no longer infectious.

“The majority of Chicagoans are vaccinated against measles and therefore are not at high risk but we are strongly urging those who aren’t vaccinated to do so as soon as possible, new arrivals and all Chicagoans. It is by far the best protection against measles, which for the first time in years is in our city,” health department Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said in a news release.

“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.”

Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the city's 25th Ward was at the shelter Sunday with his staff to help bridge language and cultural barriers as the health department worked with medical teams to innoculate the 13 percent of shelter residents who had not presented proof of vaccination, according to a news release from the alderman’s office.

Those who have not been vaccinated or who have been vaccinated recently will have to quarantine for 21 days, according to the health department.

“We have advised all unvaccinated and newly vaccinated residents of the quarantine period but some of those residents have left the shelter, and I want to acknowledge that,” Ige said in the news release. “That is why we so strongly advise the unvaccinated to get the vaccine and to immediately quarantine if you have had contact with anyone with measles.”

The additional measles case that is not tied to the shelter involves a Chicago resident, according to the health department. The patient’s source of infection is unknown but their infectious period ended Wednesday and they are recovering well at home.

“Measles is a highly contagious and serious respiratory infection that causes a rash and high fever and is capable of leading to pneumonia and other complications, and can be particularly challenging for babies and young children,” the health department said in the news release, noting cases have been rising nationally and globally in recent months due to decreased vaccination.

A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was coming to Chicago to assist the city with its response.