Doctors warn that migrant detention centers may be faced with 'very rapid spread' of flu virus without vaccinations

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown this week with a new regulation that allows the government to detain migrants who cross the border illegally "Indefinitely. "The announcement came on the heels of news that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reportedly has"no plans"To provide influenza vaccinations to the families being held." Data-reactid = "22"> The Trump administration continues its immigration crackdown this week with a new regulation that allows the government to detain migrants who cross the border illegally "indefinitely." US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reportedly has "no plans" to provide influenza vaccinations to the families being held.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "lawmakers& nbsp; and activists immediately moved to & nbsp;condemn& nbsp; both decisions on Twitter, highlighting recent reports that at & nbsp;least three children have died of the flu in detention centers. But while the issue is inciting anger among politicians and the public, it is uniquely troubling. "Data-reactid =" 23 ">lawmakers and activists immediately moved to condemn both decisions on Twitter, highlighting recent reports that at least three children have died from the flu in detention centers. But while the issue is inciting anger among politicians and the public, for doctors immersed in the field of treating sick kids, it's uniquely troubling.

Yahoo Lifestyle spoke with two experts, a longtime pediatric researcher and an infectious disease specialist, about why the decision not to vaccinate migrant families poses many threats – especially to kids.

Close proximity increases likelihood of spreading

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "William Schaffner, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, suggests that the decision puts the children at risk. "These group settings … seem to be designed for the rapid spread of communicable diseases," Schaffner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "William Schaffner, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the Institute of Infectious Diseases." Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. "These group settings … seem to be designed for the rapid spread of communicable diseases," Schaffner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "If an infectious agent such as this is introduced into such a facility, you could get very, very fast spread."

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while influenza can be transmitted year-round, it is most commonly spread & nbsp;during the fall and winter. The 2017-2018 flu season in the US was classified as a & nbsp;"High severityThe data is available for more information on this topic. "Data-reactid =" 27 "> According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while influenza can be transmitted year-round, it is most commonly spread during the fall. and winter The 2017-2018 flu season in the US was classified as "high severity," with 48.8 million cases and more than 22.7 million medical visits.

Flu is only one of many communicable diseases

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "James D. Cherry, MD, a distinguished research professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases, says that influenza is just one of many diseases that children in detention centers are likely to. "You can be sure that there will be flu outbreaks, [but] There will be others, like measles, if they are not vaccinated, "he says. James D. Cherry, MD, a distinguished research professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Mattel Children's Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases, says that influenza "You can be absolutely sure that there will be flu outbreaks, [but] There will be others, like measles, if they are not vaccinated, "he says. "Particularly in a crowded circumstance."

Schaffner agrees, saying that the danger is "not limited" to flu. "It could be measles, mumps, chicken pox – any number of infectious viruses could be introduced," he says. "The environment in which these children are [held] is an ideal environment for the transmission and spread of contagious infectious diseases. "

Overcrowding may cause more severe illnesses

Cherry, who has been researching vaccines and preventable diseases for over 50 years, explains that the illnesses of children and families may be more severe. "With influenza, the virus is spreading other people's respiratory secretions, but the amount in a sporadic case is less than a situation of close contact," Cherry tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "There's actually a bigger dose – and more virus spread – which could lead to more serious illness."

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Schaffner calls this a" reasonable hypothesis. " Yahoo Lifestyle, "You would not just get one exposure, but you would Continually exposed to infected people in this environment. It's quite possible that it would lead to more severe infections. "" Data-reactid = "33"> Schaffner calls this "reasonable hypothesis." He tells Yahoo Lifestyle, "You would not just get one exposure, but you would be Continually exposed to infected people in this environment. It's quite possible that … this would lead to more severe infections. "

Malnutrition and stress can exacerbate symptoms

One of Schaffner 's biggest concerns – which are the places where they live with already weakened immune systems. "Influenza is likely to be more severe among a group of children who are more likely to be successful in their nutrition and growth and development," says Schaffner. "These are children who are more likely to have more medical problems than children in suburbia. Obviously, they have been an extraordinarily stressful period of time and are optimally optimistic. "

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Both doctors say that this impact how well an Malaria, "says Cherry." Flu kills almost & nbsp;80,000 people a year in the U.S., and the majority of those deaths in young children and older adults. People who are more likely to die than other people robustness. "" Data-reactid = "36"> Both doctors say that this impact can be better. "Illnesses are worse with varying degrees of malnutrition, "says Cherry." Flu kills almost 80,000 people in the US, and the majority of those deaths in young children and older adults. than otherwise robust people. "