(DDM) – Health authorities in the United States have confirmed a measles outbreak at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, raising alarms over the safety of hundreds of children held there.
DDM gathered that the facility, also known as the South Texas Family Residential Center, houses families detained for alleged immigration violations roughly 70 miles south of San Antonio.
Officials reported that two detainees tested positive for active measles infections late last week, prompting immediate action to halt transfers and impose quarantines.
Medical staff from the ICE Health Services Corps isolated the infected individuals and quarantined anyone believed to have had contact with them to prevent further spread of the virus.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the infected detainees are adults or children, nor the exact number of individuals placed under quarantine, heightening concern among health experts and advocates.
The center’s crowded dormitory-style accommodation, shared bathrooms, and group activities create high-risk conditions for the rapid spread of contagious diseases like measles.
According to U.S. infection-control guidance, measles can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can remain in a room for up to two hours after the person leaves.
DHS officials confirmed that all detainees are receiving appropriate medical care, and on-site teams are working with the Texas Department of State Health Services to monitor symptoms and provide measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations where necessary.
State health authorities have pledged vaccine supplies and technical support, while federal protocols recommend halting visits, isolating suspected cases in medical areas, and limiting access to staff with proven immunity.
The outbreak comes amid a national surge in measles, with the United States recording over 2,200 infections in 2025, including more than 700 cases in West Texas, two child deaths, and nearly 100 hospitalizations.
Public health experts warn that vaccination gaps among migrants and the general population exacerbate the risk of severe illness, particularly among children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Child advocates and lawyers have expressed deep concern over the physical and mental health of families confined under quarantine, calling detention a policy choice that exposes children to preventable health risks.
They have urged increased transparency regarding living conditions, broader vaccination campaigns, and alternatives to detention for families while immigration proceedings continue.
The situation at Dilley underscores the challenges of containing infectious diseases in detention facilities and highlights the urgent need for preventive health measures to protect vulnerable populations.
DDM reports that health officials continue to monitor the outbreak closely, emphasizing rapid response and vaccination as critical steps to contain the virus and prevent further infections among children and adults alike.
