CDC Chicago reports 4 more measles cases: The nationwide total of measles cases this year is 45, according to a weekly update released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four more cases were recorded. There are now 17 affected locations after Illinois was added as one more affected jurisdiction.
A persistent increase in cases worldwide despite declining vaccination rates prompted the CDC to warn physicians in January to be on the lookout for measles infections.
According to the CDC‘s background material, measles outbreaks are happening everywhere in the world. The organization alerted the public about the possibility of epidemics occurring in nations like the US where vaccination rates are low or nonexistent.
On a day when US officials increased the national tally to 45 cases of measles, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced two cases: one at a center for new migrants and another in a person who had interactions with both domestic and foreign passengers.
The CDPH said in a statement today that a small child at a Pilsen shelter is involved in the migrant center case. The child is no longer contagious and has recovered. All shelter occupants are being asked to stay put by officials as they find out whether or not they have received a measles vaccination. People who have not received vaccinations will be provided the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and tested for symptoms.
The CDPH announced another case yesterday, the first one for the city since 2019. The patient’s infection has not yet been identified as the cause. Although the patient had not traveled, she had interacted with both domestic and foreign tourists. There is no evidence connecting the patient to a recent Indiana case that traveled to Chicago in February.
The patient is recuperating at home after his or her contagious period ends on March 6. Potential exposures are being monitored by the CDPH at Swedish Hospital in Chicago as well as on a bus route.
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