Confirmed Cases of Measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston
Four students at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston have been confirmed to have measles, according to a media release by the Broward School District. The first case was confirmed on Thursday night, and since then, three more cases have been identified. The district is working closely with the Florida Department of Health to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The school’s principal is keeping families informed and following health department guidelines to protect the community. Parents and families were notified about the first measles case on Thursday evening. The infected child is a third-grader, but it is unclear what grade the other three students are in.
Medical experts are concerned about the spread of the disease, especially as vaccination rates have decreased in recent years. They urge parents of unvaccinated children who may have been exposed to contact their pediatrician immediately. However, parents of vaccinated children have less cause for worry.
Dr. Ronald Ford, Chief Medical Officer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, emphasizes that if a child has been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, the chances of contracting measles are extremely low. The population of concern is those who are not immune to the disease.
The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is required for students attending public schools in Florida. It consists of two doses, the first given at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years old. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles. However, an increasing number of parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children in recent years, leading to a rise in vaccine-preventable illnesses.
At Manatee Bay Elementary School, 92% of the 1,067 students are vaccinated, leaving 85 students unvaccinated. The district did not disclose whether the infected students were vaccinated or not. While vaccination is required, there are exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If an unprotected person is in close proximity to an infected individual, there is a 90% chance of contracting the disease. Dr. Ford warns that being in a classroom with an infected person puts students at risk. All students at Manatee Bay eat together in the cafeteria every day, raising concerns about further transmission.
However, for those who have been vaccinated, measles is rare. The MMR vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines available. Even if a vaccinated person is exposed to measles, the virus will be milder, and they are less likely to spread it to others.
Dr. Ford’s main concern is the unvaccinated group. Parents of unvaccinated children who have been exposed should contact their pediatrician or the Department of Health. Due to the contagious nature of measles, he advises keeping children at home as much as possible and avoiding visits to the doctor’s office.
Severe symptoms should prompt a visit to the emergency room, but most cases of measles are self-limiting and do not require medical care. Children below the age of 6 who have not received their second dose, immune-compromised children, or those who did not have an adequate immune response to the vaccine are at higher risk.
The initial symptoms of measles resemble a common cold, including coughing, red eyes, and a high fever. A rash typically appears later, starting on the head and face before spreading to the rest of the body. People are contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days afterward. Symptoms usually manifest one to two weeks after infection. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia or brain swelling.
For those who are unvaccinated or have unvaccinated children, it is not too late to get vaccinated. However, it takes time for the vaccine to become fully effective, and two doses are required. Dr. Ford believes that recent cases may prompt some people to reconsider their decision not to vaccinate.
Measles was thought to be eradicated in the United States in 2000 but has made a comeback in some areas due to declining vaccination rates. Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has seen an increase in patients with vaccine-preventable diseases who were not vaccinated.
The first measles case at Manatee Bay was the third case in Florida within six months. Now, there are six cases. Approximately one in five people who contract measles will require hospitalization, and one to three out of every 1,000 infected children will die. Babies, young children, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
The local office of the Florida Department of Health in Broward has notified facilities and healthcare providers that the patient may have visited, as well as individuals who may have been exposed. The school district has not yet determined the course of action for Tuesday but has ensured that the school was thoroughly cleaned on Friday.
In conclusion, the confirmed cases of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School
