A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been dispatched to a Chicago shelter for migrants following the detection of seven measles cases. This event marks the first local occurrence of measles since 2019, with a total of eight instances reported in Chicago since Thursday. The measles virus, known for its high contagion, frequently enters the U.S. through international travelers who are unvaccinated. Following the outbreak, nearly 900 individuals at the shelter have been vaccinated under the guidance of the Chicago Department of Public Health. Dr. Olusimbo Ige, the city’s public health Commissioner, highlighted that these cases were contracted locally and stressed the importance of protecting the health of newcomers to the city.

This outbreak highlights the wider challenge facing Chicago as it tries to provide for the health needs of a burgeoning migrant population, mainly from countries like Venezuela where vaccination rates are low. Cook County officials have been providing medical care and vaccinations, but concerns have been raised about the adequacy of living conditions in migrant shelters and the necessity for improved health screening and vaccination measures.

In related health news, a recent study involving data from over 20 million people across the UK, Spain, and Estonia has shown that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of heart failure and blood clots related to the virus, with protection lasting up to a year. The research, published in the journal Heart, discussed the effectiveness of various vaccines such as Oxford-AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna in preventing severe disease and its cardiovascular complications. Professor Daniel Prieto-Alhambra, part of the study team, emphasized the vaccines’ role in diminishing disease severity and their importance in protecting against long-term heart-related issues. This research underscores the ongoing necessity of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing serious health complications beyond the immediate effects of the virus.