A recent measles outbreak at the Dilley family detention facility, run by ICE, has sparked concern and raised questions about the treatment of detained families. The facility, which houses over 400 children, has confirmed at least two cases of measles. This outbreak is particularly alarming given the harsh conditions families endure, including food contaminated with worms and bugs, and water that smells putrid and is mixed with baby formula. One child, who spent a birthday in the facility, suffered from appendicitis and was initially given a pain reliever by staff. The child's condition worsened, leading to an emergency hospital visit for appendix removal. Congressman Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, reported a two-month-old baby detained for four or five days at the facility. The resurgence of measles in the U.S. is attributed to misinformation about vaccines and reduced vaccination rates in some communities. According to the University of Chicago Medicine, there have been over 1,000 new cases and three measles-related deaths in the U.S. since May 2025, surpassing the total cases reported for 2024. The World Health Organization highlights that most measles deaths worldwide occur among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under five. Confined facilities with high population density, like the Dilley facility, increase the risk of measles outbreaks due to congregate housing, poor ventilation, and potentially lower vaccine coverage compared to the general public.
