Additional Coverage:
- 2 measles infections confirmed at Texas facility where 5-year-old detained in Minnesota was held (nbcnews.com)
Measles Cases Reported at Texas Immigration Facility, Raising Health Concerns for Detainees
DILLEY, TX – Two detainees at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas have been diagnosed with measles, prompting quarantine measures and a halt to all movement within the facility. The news comes as 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were recently released from the same center, leaving questions about their potential exposure to the highly contagious virus.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the two measles cases on Sunday, stating that the infected individuals, along with anyone who may have come into contact with them, have been quarantined. McLaughlin emphasized that medical staff are closely monitoring detainees’ conditions and taking “appropriate and active steps to prevent further infection.” She also remarked on the quality of care provided, stating, “This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives.”
Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were held at the Dilley facility until their release on Saturday. It remains unclear whether they had any contact with the infected detainees. An attorney representing the family has not yet responded to inquiries regarding their potential exposure.
Measles is an airborne virus that can spread through breathing, talking, coughing, and sneezing, and can persist on surfaces. Symptoms include rashes, red eyes, fever, coughing, and red bumps at the hairline. The infection poses significant risks, particularly to infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The Dilley Immigration Processing Center, also known as the South Texas Family Residential Center, is located approximately 70 miles southwest of San Antonio and houses families together.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the measles cases, and Representative Joaquin Castro’s office was also informed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday, according to a declaration submitted in federal court by Ben Thomas, Castro’s chief of staff.
These infections contribute to a concerning national surge in measles cases. As of Thursday, 588 cases had been confirmed across the U.S.
On Saturday, Los Angeles County health officials announced their region’s second measles case of the year. Experts express concern that measles is becoming endemic, or an annual occurrence, despite its virtual elimination in 2000 due to effective vaccination programs.
Declining vaccination rates are cited by experts as a primary factor in the recent resurgence.
Before measles vaccinations became widely available in the early 1960s, the disease was responsible for an estimated 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations annually in the U.S. Last year, three measles-related deaths were reported in the country.