Immigrant women and children walk across a field as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) hosts a media tour at the South Texas Family Residential Center, which houses families who are pending dis …
DILLEY, Texas - Federal health officials have halted all movement at a South Texas immigration detention center after confirming two cases of measles among detainees.
Measles confirmed at ICE facility in South Texas
What we know:
The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the active infections at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center on Jan. 31, according to a statement released by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tricia McLaughlin.
The detainees were diagnosed the same day 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father were released from the facility.
Liam is home: 5-year-old boy and his father back in Minnesota after release from ICE detention
Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who was taken into ICE custody, is back in Minnesota with his father after a judge ordered their release from an immigrant detention center in Texas.
In response, the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) implemented immediate quarantine protocols to contain the highly contagious virus. All individuals suspected of having contact with the infected detainees have been isolated, and the facility has suspended the transfer of detainees in or out of the center.
What they're saying:
"Medical staff is continuing to monitor the detainees’ conditions and will take appropriate and active steps to prevent further infection," McLaughlin said, adding that all detainees are receiving medical care.
Measles is a significant concern in congregate living settings due to its high transmission rate among unvaccinated populations. The Dilley facility, located about 70 miles southwest of San Antonio, is one of several processing centers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
McLaughlin defended the quality of care provided at the facility, noting that it is "longstanding practice" to provide comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services to individuals from the moment they enter custody.
"This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives," McLaughlin said.
What we don't know:
The statement did not specify the age or nationality of the infected individuals, nor did it indicate how long the lockdown is expected to remain in effect.
The Source: Information in this article is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and previous FOX Local coverage.