Public Health Officials Warn of Measles Exposures in Michigan Counties, While Florida Withholds Information
Public health officials in Michigan have issued warnings to residents about possible measles exposures in two counties. An adult who contracted the virus abroad had been in health-related settings in Dearborn, Wayne County, on two days last week. The individual visited urgent care clinics, a CVS pharmacy, and a hospital emergency department. Similarly, in Washtenaw County, another adult infected abroad was in the emergency department of a hospital in Ypsilanti on March 1. Unvaccinated individuals who were present at these locations and times are urged to contact public health or their healthcare provider.
Standard practice during measles outbreaks includes issuing alerts to inform the public about potential exposures. These alerts may also mention crowded public locations like airports, shopping malls, or theme parks. However, in Florida, where there have been 10 residents and at least four non-residents diagnosed with measles in the past month, the Department of Health has provided limited information about these cases. This lack of transparency leaves the public unaware of potential exposures and hampers their ability to make informed decisions, especially for those planning spring break vacations.
Measles activity has been reported in Broward, Polk, and Orange counties in Florida. However, the state’s Department of Health website only contains a single measles alert dated February 23. The alert mentions an unspecified number of cases in Broward County and a travel-related case in “Central Florida.” It fails to mention Polk County by name or reference the cases seen at Orlando-area health facilities. When asked about this omission, a Health Department spokeswoman stated that the Orange County cases were not included because the individuals were not residents of Florida. This suggests that they were from other parts of the country.
The lack of information raises several questions that cannot be answered with the available public domain information. For instance, it is known that seven of the nine cases in Broward County are students of Manatee Bay Elementary School. However, the origins of the other two infected children, who are too young to attend school, remain unclear. It is uncertain whether they are part of the school outbreak or if they contracted the virus from an undetected case. Additionally, it is unknown if any of the four cases seen in Orlando hospitals had visited Disney World.
STAT reached out to the Broward and Orlando health departments for comment, but both declined and directed questions to the state Department of Health. However, the department has not responded to STAT’s requests for interviews or acknowledged receipt of the questions. Public health experts express concern over Florida’s approach, fearing that it could contribute to the spread of the virus. Florida’s surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo, faced criticism for allowing parents of unvaccinated children to choose whether to send their kids to school during the ongoing outbreak at Manatee Bay Elementary.
The lack of information provided by Florida goes against common sense and international conventions for handling measles outbreaks. Transparency is crucial in containing measles, and withholding information increases the risk of further outbreaks. If Florida mishandles its cases, other states could also be affected. Measles can cause unnecessary illness and even death. While deaths from measles are rare, there was a recorded measles death in the U.S. in 2015.
Public health officials play a vital role in containing measles by informing the public about potential exposures. This information can influence vaccination decisions and protect individuals and their children. Measles vaccination rates typically increase during outbreaks as parents prioritize their children’s safety. William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of proactive promotion of vaccination and informing the public about potential exposures.
Healthcare settings pose a significant risk for measles transmission due to the large number of people who can be exposed. Infants too young to be vaccinated, immunocompromised individuals, and those who did not develop protection from the vaccine are particularly vulnerable. A past measles outbreak in Orange County, California, demonstrated the dangers of undiagnosed cases in healthcare settings. Several cases visited hospitals, resulting in five infected healthcare workers. Even vaccinated healthcare workers can become infected and unknowingly expose others to the virus.
Measles is highly contagious, and infected individuals can spread the virus before the characteristic rash appears. This makes early recognition of measles cases crucial, especially in healthcare settings. Publicizing possible measles exposure events, as done by the Michigan health departments, helps parents and medical providers recognize the symptoms and take appropriate action. Prompt containment of measles outbreaks not only prevents unnecessary illness but also saves significant costs associated with outbreak response efforts.
Stopping transmission is essential in controlling measles outbreaks, but it requires labor-intensive efforts from public health officials. The cost of containing measles outbreaks can be substantial, as seen in previous outbreaks in California and New York City. The efforts to track down exposed individuals and prevent further spread are necessary to protect vulnerable populations and prevent serious illness.
In conclusion, public health
