Florida Measles Outbreak Expands: Youngest Case Confirmed Outside of School
The Florida measles outbreak continues to grow, with health officials in Broward County confirming a seventh case of the virus. What is particularly concerning about this case is that the patient is a child under the age of 5, making them the youngest individual to be infected in this outbreak. Additionally, this is the first case to be identified outside of Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, near Fort Lauderdale. While it is unclear what connection this youngest measles case has to the school, experts anticipated that the virus would spread beyond school-age children.
Dr. David Kimberlin, co-director of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explains that measles is highly infectious and can easily spread from person to person. He compares it to a “heat-seeking missile” that will find individuals who are not immune and make them sick. In fact, if unvaccinated individuals are exposed to the virus, they have a 90% chance of becoming infected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of Friday, there have been at least 35 measles cases in 15 states in 2024, with most cases being related to international travel. In January, Pennsylvania experienced nine measles cases, eight of which were in Philadelphia. If no further cases are reported in Philadelphia by early next week, the outbreak will be declared over. Late Friday, Michigan’s health department also announced its first measles case since 2019.
Currently, Florida has the largest measles outbreak in the United States. However, experts are criticizing the actions, or lack thereof, taken by Florida’s health officials in response to the outbreak. Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the state’s Surgeon General, made the decision to allow parents to choose whether to quarantine their children or let them continue attending school. This decision has raised concerns among experts, as measles is highly contagious and has a long incubation period. By allowing infected children to attend school, there is a risk of further spread.
Katelyn Jetelina, who tracks illnesses for a website called “Your Local Epidemiologist,” emphasizes the importance of identifying and isolating cases during measles outbreaks. Measles is incredibly contagious, and infected individuals can spread the virus for up to three weeks. Therefore, it is crucial to take proactive measures to control the outbreak.
In contrast to Florida’s approach, Columbus, Ohio, was able to quickly bring a measles outbreak under control in 2022. Dr. Mysheika Roberts, the Health Commissioner of Columbus, followed standard public health guidance by identifying and isolating patients and providing clear instructions to the public. The guidance included encouraging the MMR vaccine, which offers 97% protection against infection, and implementing a 21-day quarantine for unvaccinated children who had been exposed to the virus. By following these measures, Columbus was able to declare the outbreak over within three months.
The success in Ohio highlights the importance of clear public health guidance and proactive measures in controlling measles outbreaks. In Florida, where dozens of students at Manatee Bay Elementary School are vulnerable, and vaccine exemptions have been increasing in recent years, there is a need for stronger action. The CDC estimates that 1 in 5 measles patients is hospitalized, and one to three out of 1,000 patients may die from the disease.
As the number of national vaccine exemptions reaches an all-time high, with 3% of children entering kindergarten during the 2022-2023 school year granted an exemption, experts are concerned about the growing skepticism towards vaccines. Dr. Kimberlin warns that more and more people are questioning the necessity of vaccines, but they will soon realize their importance.
The Florida measles outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination and proactive public health measures in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It is crucial for health officials to take swift and decisive action to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further outbreaks.
