'Small Number' Of Tuberculosis Cases At Migrant Shelters: Reports

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Department of Public Health has confirmed a "small number" of tuberculosis cases at the city's migrant shelters, according to multiple news reports

The health department could not say how many tuberculosis cases there are, NBC reported, but officials said there are no reports of TB cases in the city that have come from an exposure to migrants who tested positive for the disease.

A spokesman for the Chicago Department of Public Health told NBC there are about 100 to 150 TB cases in the city each year, adding that he "would not characterize this as an outbreak."

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, "tuberculosis is a contagious and potentially life-threatening disease transmitted through the air. While it can affect any part of the body (such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine), TB usually affects the lungs."

Although it is now preventable and curable, TB was once a leading cause of death in the United States. Today, IDPH said, less than 30 deaths a year are attributed to tuberculosis in Illinois, and the number of cases in the state has fallen more than 40 percent in the past 10 years.

Tuberculosis symptoms include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, fever and night sweats. TB of the lungs causes the general symptoms plus coughing, sometimes producing blood, and chest pain.

Measles cases continue

Meanwhile, as of Friday, the Chicago Department of Public Health has confirmed 57 measles cases, most of which are connected to a Pilsen migrant shelter.

Since the cases were confirmed, the health department said more than 5,000 newly arrived migrants have received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Measles cases have also been identified in Will County and Lake County.