An outbreak of measles in Chicago has now impacted two Chicago Public Schools students, as the number of confirmed cases in the city hits double-digits. The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed that among these cases are students from Cooper Dual Language Academy in Pilsen and Armour Elementary in Bridgeport who are now under quarantine, reported by ABC7 Chicago.
Digging further into the issue, it turns out that the bulk of the measles cases are at a shelter in Pilsen, housing migrants. According to ABC7 Chicago, among the 1,900 residents there, around 1,000 had previous measles immunity. Unfortunately, nearly half did not and required vaccination, leading officials now to enforce a 21-day quarantine in the face of this burgeoning health concern.
A notable factor in the spread of the disease is an exemption that allows migrant CPS students without stable housing to attend school without vaccinations, fueling frustrations among parents. "It makes me so mad," Gabriela Herrera, a grandparent of CPS students, voiced her concerns directly to ABC7 Chicago, expressing disappointment in the city's response.
Adding to the health response, public health officials are relocating exposed families to hotels for proper isolation and to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and infants, as mentioned in a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago. Notably, the measles virus was not introduced by the migrants but was found to already be circulating in the city.
On the educational front, the Chicago Tribune reports that CPS is taking concerted steps to manage the situation, closely collaborating with the health department. "We will continue to provide resources, support and information to our entire community to ensure our valued staff and families have the appropriate information to stay safe," according to a CPS spokesperson. In addition, the educational body reiterated the importance of vaccinations and is actively guiding families on health insurance enrollment and healthcare services.
The response to the health crisis doesn't stop there. To combat the spread, the city has initiated a vigorous vaccination outreach campaign. This includes the help of Spanish-speaking aldermen and the involvement of Department of Family and Support Services workers, who are actively educating local shelter dwellers on the critical importance of vaccination.
With the city confronting its first measles case in five years, a pro-active stance seems to be the immediate course of action for Chicago's health officials and educational institutions. They are faced with not only a health crisis but also the challenge of ensuring the well-being of one of the city's most vulnerable populations - the children - during this time.
