— Federal and state officials reported that 13 people held at the Camp East Montana immigration detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, tested positive for measles on Feb. 27, 2026. Those infected were placed in quarantine and Immigration and Customs Enforcement medical teams halted all internal movement inside the facility while monitoring continued, officials said. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 17 measles cases in El Paso County this month, and local authorities say four cases were confirmed inside the city limits; Camp East Montana sits on the Fort Bliss military base and is outside the city’s jurisdiction. The outbreak has renewed scrutiny from lawmakers and public-health officials about infection control and vaccination status in detention settings.
Key takeaways
- Thirteen detainees at Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss tested positive for measles, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman; those individuals were quarantined and medical teams restricted movement within the facility.
- The Texas Department of State Health Services recorded 17 measles cases in El Paso County during February 2026.
- El Paso city health officials confirmed four measles cases inside the city; officials noted the Fort Bliss facility sits outside the city’s public-health jurisdiction.
- Camp East Montana opened in 2025 and is a large site designed to house thousands of immigrants, raising concerns about potential rapid spread in crowded quarters.
- Earlier in 2026, at least two measles cases were reported at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas, and one case was confirmed at a detention facility in Florence, Arizona.
- ICE medical staff reported active monitoring and that detainees are receiving medical care; internal transfers within the facility were suspended to limit exposure.
- State and local public-health agencies are tracing contacts and working with federal partners to assess community risk and vaccination coverage.
Background
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly through unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations. Outbreaks in congregate settings such as shelters, prisons, and detention centers pose disproportionate risks because of close quarters, high turnover, and barriers to rapid vaccination campaigns. Over the past decade, rising vaccine hesitancy and uneven immunization coverage in some communities have contributed to periodic resurgences of measles in the United States.
Immigration detention centers have been a focus of scrutiny for infectious-disease prevention because they often combine high population density with logistical challenges for delivering routine immunizations. Federal agencies, state health departments, and local public-health authorities share responsibility for outbreak response, but jurisdictional lines and operational control can complicate rapid, coordinated actions. Lawmakers and public-health advocates have previously raised questions about the adequacy of screening, vaccination, and isolation practices in several facilities nationwide.
Main event
On Feb. 27, 2026, Lauren Bis, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that 13 people detained at Camp East Montana had contracted measles. According to the statement, those individuals were quarantined and ICE health-care workers moved to halt all internal movement within the facility as a containment measure. Medical teams were reported to be closely monitoring the affected detainees and providing necessary care.
The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 17 measles cases in El Paso County during February, suggesting additional transmission outside the Fort Bliss site. El Paso city health officials confirmed four local cases but noted that Camp East Montana is located on the Fort Bliss Army base and therefore does not fall under the city’s direct jurisdiction. Public-health authorities at the county and state level are coordinating to trace contacts and determine links between the cases.
Camp East Montana is a sprawling facility constructed in 2025 on the Fort Bliss base to accommodate thousands of detained immigrants. Its scale and population turnover have heightened concerns among public-health specialists about the speed with which measles can spread in such settings. Earlier this year, at least two cases were reported at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas, and another case was confirmed at a detention center in Florence, Arizona, underscoring a pattern of separate measles incidents in detention facilities.
Analysis & implications
This cluster highlights several intersecting public-health and policy issues. First, measles transmission in congregate settings can escalate quickly when vaccination coverage is incomplete or unknown. Detention facilities present operational obstacles to rapid vaccination campaigns, including access to medical records, consent processes, and logistical constraints for mass immunization.
Second, jurisdictional separation between federal detention operations and local public-health agencies can slow unified responses. Although state and county health departments typically have legal authority to investigate communicable-disease outbreaks, federal facilities on military bases can require additional coordination, which may delay actions such as targeted vaccination drives or community risk communications.
Third, the detection of cases at multiple immigration detention sites this year suggests the need for routine preventive measures across facilities, including standardized vaccination screening on intake, ready access to MMR vaccine, and clear protocols for quarantine and cohorting. Failure to address these gaps increases the chance of further transmission to staff, detainees, and surrounding communities.
Comparison & data
| Site | Cases reported in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Camp East Montana, Fort Bliss (El Paso, TX) | 13 |
| El Paso County (total, Feb. 2026) | 17 |
| Dilley Immigration Processing Center (Dilley, TX) | 2 |
| Detention center (Florence, AZ) | 1 |
The table above summarizes confirmed counts tied to detention facilities and county totals reported in February 2026. These figures suggest that the Camp East Montana cases constitute the majority of the county’s reported cases this month. Public-health officials will use contact tracing and genomic analysis, where available, to establish transmission chains and assess whether cases share a common source.
Reactions & quotes
Federal and local officials offered public updates and emphasized containment steps while acknowledging the need for coordination across agencies.
“Thirteen people held at Camp East Montana have contracted the disease; medical staff is continuing to monitor the detainees’ conditions and will take appropriate and active steps to prevent further infection,”
Lauren Bis, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman
In context: this statement laid out the immediate operational response reported by DHS and ICE teams, including quarantine and suspension of internal movement to limit exposure.
“Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded settings, making prompt vaccination and isolation measures essential,”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public-health guidance)
In context: public-health guidance emphasizes that rapid identification, isolation of cases, and vaccination of susceptible contacts are the primary tools for halting outbreaks in congregate environments.
Unconfirmed
- The precise index case or source that introduced measles into Camp East Montana has not been publicly identified and remains under investigation.
- The vaccination status of the 13 infected detainees and the broader detainee population at Camp East Montana has not been fully reported by officials.
- Any genomic sequencing results linking these cases to other recent detention-center cases (Dilley or Florence) have not been released publicly.
Bottom line
The immediate public-health priority is containing transmission inside Camp East Montana and preventing spread into the surrounding community. Rapid quarantine, focused vaccination of susceptible contacts, and clear coordination between federal, state, and local agencies are the most effective near-term measures.
Longer term, this cluster reinforces the need for standardized vaccination screening and ready access to MMR vaccine at intake across detention facilities, along with pre-established protocols for outbreak response that bridge federal and local public-health authorities. Observers should watch for updates from state health officials on contact tracing, any vaccination campaigns, and whether genomic analysis clarifies transmission links.
Sources
- The New York Times — news report summarizing federal and local statements and case counts.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — official public-health guidance on measles transmission and control (public health agency).
- Texas Department of State Health Services — state health department (official) reporting on case counts in Texas.