CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Health Department has confirmed cases of tuberculosis among some newly arrived migrants.
The Health Department isn't saying exactly how many cases, but said it's taking steps to keep the infections contained.
This comes as the city increases spending on migrant health care. The city extended its contract with Favorite Healthcare, which helps treat migrants, late last month for an additional $85 million.
As for how migrants are getting infected, city officials said many arriving from Central America and South America have latent TB infections meaning they can't pass the virus, but will test positive.
The city is also currently dealing with a rise in measles cases. The health department reports that 56 cases have been detected so far, which includes Chicago residents diagnosed with measles in 2024, and non-Chicago residents associated with the Chicago-based measles outbreak.
The outbreak originated from a migrant shelter in Pilsen on Halsted Street.
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