Measles Outbreak Sparks Lockdown

A measles outbreak at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas has prompted a lockdown, with all movement halted after two detainees were diagnosed with the disease.

The outbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time, given the recent controversy surrounding the detention of a 5-year-old boy and his father, who were released just a day before the measles cases were confirmed.

Quarantine Measures In Place

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says ICE health officials are taking steps to quarantine the individuals involved and prevent further spread of the infection. All detainees who may have come into contact with the infected are being monitored and provided with medical care.

It’s worth noting that the facility claims to provide comprehensive health care to detainees, which is more than many of them had access to before being locked up. But it’s hard to take that claim seriously when you consider the conditions at these detention centers.

Meanwhile, Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro is set to inspect the facility this week, and it’s likely he’ll be taking a close look at the health care provided to detainees. Let’s hope he’s not too impressed by the spin.

Last year, the US saw a whopping 2,267 measles cases, with at least 762 of them in West Texas. So, it’s not like this outbreak is entirely unexpected. What’s surprising is that it took this long for something like this to happen.