Florida Surgeon General Defies Health Guidance as Measles Outbreak Spreads
In a shocking turn of events, Florida surgeon general Joseph A. Ladapo has chosen to defy health guidance amidst a growing measles outbreak in Broward County, Florida. Instead of following established public health protocols, Ladapo has given parents the option to send their unvaccinated children, who have been exposed to measles, to school. This decision goes against the consensus within the medical community and puts the lives and well-being of children at risk.
Measles is a highly infectious and dangerous disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 20 children with measles develops pneumonia, while 1 in 10 children experiences ear infections that can lead to permanent hearing loss. Additionally, 1 in 1,000 children may have the infection spread to their brain, causing swelling, seizures, and irreversible neurological damage. Tragically, up to three out of every 1,000 children who contract measles will die from it. Furthermore, there is a rare but devastating neurological disease that can occur years after recovering from measles, resulting in personality changes, depression, blindness, dementia, and uncontrollable jerking and writhing. This condition progressively damages the brain and can ultimately lead to coma and death.
Measles is highly contagious, even more so than COVID-19. The virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. If an unvaccinated person is exposed to measles, they have a nearly 90 percent chance of contracting it. The reason why measles has not been a major concern in the United States for decades is largely due to vaccination. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is incredibly effective. Two doses of the vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93 percent effective. During an outbreak, administering the vaccine to an exposed individual who has not yet been vaccinated can significantly reduce their chances of contracting the virus and spreading it to others.
Thanks to the high uptake of the MMR vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. However, this does not mean that the threat is completely gone. Each year, there are cases of measles infections resulting from travelers carrying the virus. In recent years, notable outbreaks have occurred in New York and Ohio. In 2019, there were over 900 infections in New York, primarily within Orthodox Jewish communities. In 2022, Ohio experienced an outbreak with 85 confirmed cases, mostly among unvaccinated toddlers, and nearly half of those infected required hospitalization.
The key to controlling these outbreaks lies in taking necessary actions. Health officials in Ohio urged unvaccinated, exposed children to receive the MMR vaccine, reducing their quarantine period from 21 days to just three. In New York City, the health commissioner went even further by issuing an ordinance that mandated vaccination for anyone living, working, or attending school in the areas most affected by the outbreak. Those who refused to comply faced a fine of $1,000. These decisions were not made lightly and faced opposition from individuals who saw them as government overreach. However, they were crucial in preventing uncontrollable spread and protecting public health.
Unfortunately, Florida seems to have chosen a different path. Instead of focusing on increasing MMR vaccine uptake, Ladapo’s letter remains silent on encouraging parents of the nearly three dozen unvaccinated students in the elementary school to get their children immunized. Rather than reinforcing the 21-day isolation period for unvaccinated, exposed students, Ladapo is leaving the decision in the hands of parents or guardians. This approach disregards proven public health measures that have successfully halted outbreaks in the past.
The consequences of this decision could be devastating and preventable. If parents do not take the responsible course of action, the measles outbreak in Florida is likely to worsen. It is a tragic situation that can be avoided if proper measures are taken. The health and safety of children should always be a top priority, and it is essential that public health officials act in accordance with established guidelines to protect the well-being of the community.
