Measles virus. Mother holding tiny baby foot with red rash, closeup – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Prostock-studio
A measles epidemic at the Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida, has resulted in six cases of the disease.
In a letter sent to nearby medical professionals on Friday, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County said that a third-grader who had no prior travel history had been diagnosed. There were three confirmed instances of measles at the primary school on Saturday, one on Monday, and the last one on Tuesday. The other patients’ ages or grades are still unknown.
In a Sunday statement, the county health agency stated that it was “identifying contacts that are at risk of transmission by working with all partners, including Broward County Public Schools and local hospitals.”
Whether individuals afflicted had vaccinations is unknown to the general public, according to NBC 6 South Florida. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination is 97 percent effective after two doses.
The Broward County Public School District “took further preventive measures by conducting a deep cleaning of the school premises and replacing its air filters” over the weekend, according to a statement released on Monday by John J. Sullivan, the district’s legislative affairs and communications officer.
In order to obtain information regarding the outbreak, Manatee Bay Elementary School forwarded NBC News to the school system.
According to the district, Tuesday’s classes went as usual until the evening, when they were informed about the sixth case.
“We expect to receive further guidance from the Florida Department of Health tomorrow and will continue to keep the school and its families updated with the latest information,” added the statement.
According to a statement from the Broward County health department, “all details regarding the investigation are confidential.” The department is “carrying out an epidemiological investigation” of the measles epidemic and is seeking to identify close connections of people who have been diagnosed.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Florida’s statewide MMR vaccination rate for the 2022–2023 school year was around 91 health, while the national rate was 93 health. The United States rate dropped from 95 percent for the 2020–21 academic year. 95 percent is regarded by the World Health Organization as the cutoff point required for measles immunity in a population.
The measles is extremely spreadable. Usually starting a week or two after infection, symptoms can include fever, runny nose, coughing, and red, watery eyes. A rash of flat red spots that begins on the face and spreads to the neck, torso, and limbs may occur a few days after the appearance of little white spots inside the mouth.
In the US, one in five cases of measles hospitalization results in serious consequences for those who are not vaccinated. Pneumonia is the primary cause of death for children in that age group who contract the disease, and it affects up to 1 in 20 of them who have measles. Individuals who are not immunized or have impaired immune systems are also susceptible to cerebral edema or even death.
According to the CDC, as of Thursday, there had been 20 cases of measles reported in 11 states so far this year, including an epidemic that resulted in at least eight cases in Philadelphia last month. Health care professionals received a warning from the EPA last month to be on the lookout for additional instances. There were 58 cases reported in total last year.
The current measles outbreaks, according to Dr. Charles Mitchell, a pediatric infectious disease professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, may be the consequence of rising vaccine hesitancy.
Mitchell stated on Tuesday afternoon, “My suspicion is that there is regrettably some questioning of the utility or the acceptance of vaccines.” “I suppose it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if these incidents started to repeat in the future. The fact that this one primary school has five instances of measles, for example, makes me think that perhaps vaccination rates have dropped.
Mitchell underlined that since there are no known therapies or treatments for measles, the MMR vaccination is extremely important.
Mitchell went on, “I think that some people have lost their fear.” “I doubt they recall what life was like in the 1960s or 1970s.”
Make sure you are staying up-to-date with the latest and most important Florida news with Florida Insider. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature, weather, or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
