A measles outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida has raised concerns among parents and health officials. As of now, there are a total of seven confirmed cases of measles at the school, with two additional cases in the community. This news has left parents worried about the safety of their children, especially those who are not yet fully vaccinated.
Demi Cavanaugh, a concerned parent, expressed her worries about her son who is unable to receive his second vaccine until he turns four. She stated, “It’s so easily transmitted that it’s scary how fast it’s going up.” Cavanaugh’s daughter is fully vaccinated, but she remains concerned about her son’s vulnerability to other health issues.
Broward School Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata confirmed that the individual affected by the latest case had not been on campus since February 15th. However, the infectious period of 21 days remains unchanged until March 7th. This information provides some reassurance to parents, as it suggests that the outbreak may not have spread further within the school.
Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, who represents Weston in Congress and resides in the area, has called for the removal of State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. She referred to him as a “misinformation super spreader” due to his controversial comments about vaccines in the past. Dr. Ladapo had sent a letter to Manatee Bay parents allowing unvaccinated children to attend school during the outbreak, contradicting advice from the CDC and doctors.
Dr. Mary Jo Trepka, Chair of Epidemiology at Florida International University, joined Wasserman-Schultz in urging parents to get their children vaccinated. She emphasized the seriousness of measles, stating that it causes hospitalization in about one in five people, brain damage in one in 1,000 people, and death in one in 1,000 people.
According to the school district, there are still 33 unvaccinated students at Manatee Bay Elementary. This highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the further spread of the disease. Efforts to reach out to the Surgeon General’s office and Governor DeSantis for comment have been unsuccessful thus far.
The measles outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary School serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and the potential dangers of not being immunized. It is crucial for parents to follow the advice of healthcare professionals and ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines. By doing so, they can help protect their children and prevent the spread of infectious diseases within their communities.
