As a measles outbreak persists in Chicago, ten of the twelve confirmed cases have been linked to a migrant shelter in Pilsen.
ABC7 met with a Chicago family who says their toddler is recuperating from the virus and is concerned that their infant may be infected as well.
Jessica Coletti, a Chicago mother, says she has no idea how her baby became infected with measles. He does not attend CPS schools and has usually stayed at home. She never wants to go through what he had with the virus again. Coletti never imagined it would happen to her family.
“I feel like I’ve woken up in a different world,” Coletti remarked. Her 3-year-old son Vincent began feeling ill last Wednesday. “He was lethargic, not drinking, not eating,” Coletti added. “We were in the hospital on Friday. They sent us home, saying it was COVID.”
Days later, he was back in the hospital. “He woke up Monday morning, didn’t talk, didn’t move, and the rash started on his cheeks, on his face, and then moved all the way down his body,” said Coletti. “I knew something was just really wrong with my child.”
She stated that Vincent tested positive for measles and was the sickest she’d ever seen him. “I honestly thought he was going to die in my arms, and I just kept telling him that ‘mommy’s getting help, and you’re going to be okay.'”
The CDC advises that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 12 to 15 months old and the second between the ages of four and six. Coletti stated that her son has had his first shot, but he is not yet old enough to receive the second.
“When kids have one vaccine, we’re talking about 93% efficacy in protection against measles,” allergist and immunologist Dr. Juanita Mora explained. “With two vaccines, we can achieve 95-97% effectiveness. We have a lot of toddlers in this age group that may fall into this range where they don’t have enough immunity built in.
As of Friday night, Vincent had begun to recover.
“He seems much better,” Coletti added. “He is sitting next to me.” He has chocolate on his face, but he’s doing a lot better.” Now the family’s attention is shifting to their other child, who is also exhibiting signs.
“I never would have thought we would come back positive for measles, and now I’m just scared and concerned for my 10-month-old,” she added.
She said her 10-month-old kid hasn’t developed a rash yet.
The entire family will now be quarantined for 21 days following what they described as a terrifying encounter.