El Paso, Texas is confronting a measles outbreak, with 17 cases reported as of Thursday, February 26, 2026. The majority of these cases – 13 in total – are centered at Camp East Montana, a large immigration detention facility operated by Acquisition Logistics on the grounds of Fort Bliss. Public health officials are working to contain the spread, while concerns are mounting over conditions at the facility and the adequacy of medical care provided to detainees.
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health confirmed four additional measles cases within the city itself, involving a man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and two women in their 30s. According to a news release, the vaccination status of these individuals is currently unknown. However, the department notes that approximately 98% of El Paso County residents are vaccinated against measles, highlighting the potential for increased vulnerability within unvaccinated populations.
To alert the public, the city has identified eight locations where individuals may have been exposed to the virus between February 20 and February 22. These include popular shopping destinations like Cielo Vista Mall and the Outlet Mall, as well as local restaurants and a medical center. Anyone who visited these locations during the specified times and develops a fever and rash is urged to contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and testing. The full list of potential exposure locations is available in the city’s public health release.
Outbreak at Camp East Montana Raises Concerns
The concentration of cases at Camp East Montana, which can hold up to 5,000 detainees, is particularly troubling. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the 13 cases at the facility on February 27, 2026, and stated that ICE Health Services Corps has initiated quarantine measures, ceasing all movement within the facility and isolating individuals suspected of contact with infected detainees. Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that providing comprehensive medical care, including vaccines, is a “longstanding practice” and that detainees receive “the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives.”
However, the outbreak is fueling criticism of Acquisition Logistics, the private company contracted to operate the facility. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-El Paso) has been a vocal opponent of Camp East Montana since its opening in August 2025, and reiterated her call for its closure on Friday. Escobar posted on X, stating the outbreak is “no surprise” and a “direct result of the manner in which Acquisition Logistics operates the facility: an explicit effort to maximize profits at the expense of federal standards for services such as medical attention.” Escobar and 23 other Democratic representatives have sent a letter to DHS and ICE leadership calling for an investigation into Acquisition Logistics and the closure of the detention center.
Previous Health and Safety Issues at the Facility
The measles outbreak is not the first health concern to surface at Camp East Montana. Earlier this month, city officials reported cases of tuberculosis at the facility, though a DHS spokesperson initially disputed the claim, stating there were “no cases of tuberculosis at the El Paso ICE facility” to the Texas Tribune. A City of El Paso spokesperson later clarified that those diagnosed with tuberculosis had been treated by ICE medical providers and were no longer housed at the facility.
More seriously, three migrants have died while in ICE custody at Camp East Montana in recent months. The El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos a homicide, attributing it to asphyxia due to neck and torso compression. Federal authorities stated that Lunas Campos had attempted suicide and died during a struggle with guards. The deaths of Francisco Gaspar-Andres and Victor Manuel Diaz are currently listed as suspected liver and kidney failure and a “presumed suicide,” respectively. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to inquiries regarding an independent investigation into Diaz’s death.
Broader Implications for Immigration Detention Centers
The measles outbreak at Camp East Montana is not isolated. The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, located approximately 70 miles southwest of San Antonio, reported two measles cases earlier this month, indicating a potential pattern of vulnerability within immigration detention facilities. The crowded conditions and potential for limited access to healthcare within these facilities can facilitate the rapid spread of infectious diseases.
Public health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. While the vast majority of El Paso County residents are vaccinated, the situation at Camp East Montana underscores the demand for robust vaccination programs and adequate medical care within detention facilities to protect both detainees and the surrounding community.
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they grow available. Federal authorities are expected to provide further information regarding the response to the outbreak at Camp East Montana in the coming days.
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