The Chicago Department of Public Health has reported a recent uptick in tuberculosis cases at migrant facilities following a measles outbreak in the city’s shelters. While the exact number of cases and shelter locations were not disclosed, health officials confirmed that there has been a “small number” of TB cases in “a few different shelters” in Chicago.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, and health officials are currently conducting contact tracing to address the issue. It is worth noting that Central and South American residents have a 10% to 20% rate of latent TB infection, but it is not transmissible to others and is asymptomatic.

Chicago typically sees 100-150 cases of tuberculosis in residents each year, with the disease being curable with antibiotics and not highly infectious. However, the recent TB cases among migrants have raised concerns, especially in light of the ongoing measles outbreak in the city.

More than 55 measles cases have been confirmed in Chicago, with the majority reported in the Pilsen migrant shelter. Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez stated that vaccination rules should have been mandated for migrants to prevent outbreaks. While the TB vaccine, BCG, is not widely used in the U.S. and is not always effective in preventing TB, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing diseases like measles.

Dr. Aniruddha Hazra reassured the public that while the TB outbreak is concerning, there is no need for panic. He emphasized that measles is preventable through vaccination and urged residents to stay informed about their vaccination status.

The recent increase in U.S. tuberculosis cases in 2023 has been the highest in a decade, with a significant rise from the previous year. Health officials will continue to monitor the situation and work towards preventing further outbreaks in the city’s migrant shelters.