Over 2,000 migrants quarantined in US detention centers amid mumps outbreaks: report

More than 2,000 migrants detained in government facilities have reportedly been quarantined as of Thursday amid an outbreak of mumps and other communicable infections.

Reuters reported Sunday that a total of 2,287 migrants in U.S. detention facilities were quarantined around the country, citing an unnamed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official. There were more than 50,000 migrants in government detention as of last Wednesday, according to ICE figures.

The news outlet reported that ICE officials have been notified of 236 confirmed or likely cases of mumps among among detainees in 51 facilities over the past 12 months. That number is an increase from 0 cases of mumps between January 2016 and February 2018.

{mosads}Reuters reported that immigration advocates have expressed concerns that outbreaks of infectious diseases could restrict access to legal services as detainees are quarantined for health reasons.

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

The reported quarantines within migrant detention facilities comes during a surge in outbreaks in communicable infections such as measles and mumps.

A recent spate of measles infected 159 mostly unvaccinated people in 10 states as of late last month, leading some states to reconsider vaccine exemptions.

Local health officials in Houston found multiple cases of mumps at an ICE facility last month, though there was no evidence of the disease spreading outside of the center.