Quarantine Measures Implemented at East Montana Detention Center
Camp East Montana, an immigrant detention facility in East El Paso, instituted an unexpected quarantine for four female detainees this month following their exposure to chickenpox. This decision comes as health officials work to mitigate the risks associated with infectious diseases within detention centers.
Secondary Contacts Identified Following Exposure
A total of 55 additional detainees were identified as secondary contacts, having been exposed to individuals who had been in close proximity to someone infected with chickenpox, although they were not directly in contact with the virus.
Source of Exposure Traced to Arizona Facility
El Paso’s chief epidemiologist, Vanessa Casner, confirmed that the chickenpox exposures occurred at an undisclosed facility in Arizona prior to the detainees’ transfer to Camp East Montana. According to reports, the exposure event took place on June 28, and it was only on July 8 that medical staff from Royal Source, the facility’s medical subcontractor, contacted the El Paso Department of Public Health.
Communication Gaps Raise Concerns
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not address inquiries from local media regarding improvements in communication with public health officials. Earlier this year, El Paso Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza warned that potential delays in communication from ICE could jeopardize the city’s response capabilities in case of an outbreak.
Measles Outbreak Illustrates Communication Challenges
An investigation by El Paso Matters revealed that efforts to control a measles outbreak, which spread from ICE detention centers into the surrounding community earlier this year, were hindered by significant communication issues. The city recorded 24 measles cases among both the general public and inmates at Camp East Montana in February and March, compelling the facility to implement a lockdown during this period.
No New Cases Reported After Surveillance Period Ends
Casner noted that the surveillance period for recent chickenpox exposures at Camp East Montana concluded on July 19, with no new cases reported. Consequently, there have been no indications of exposure to workers, visitors, or the broader community.
Follow-Up Notifications and Monitoring
Officials at the facility also informed health authorities about a potential measles exposure involving a male detainee at an undisclosed location on July 2. However, further investigation revealed that the detainee had not been exposed to the virus, leading to the discontinuation of monitoring efforts over the weekend. Since the measles outbreak earlier this year, the health department has been notified of three exposure monitoring periods, the latest being related to the current chickenpox incident at Camp East Montana.
