Measles Outbreak at Florida Elementary School Grows to Five Cases
An outbreak of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida, has now reached a total of five cases, according to the Florida Department of Health (DOH). The initial patient was a third-grade student who had no history of travel. The other infected students’ grade levels and identifying information, such as age, sex, and race/ethnicity, have not been disclosed.
The school district is working closely with the Health Department to address the situation. John Sullivan, the chief communications and legislative affairs officer for Broward County Public Schools, stated that preventive measures have been taken, including deep cleaning of the school premises and replacing air filters. The school’s principal is actively communicating with families to keep them updated on the latest information.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but recent outbreaks have occurred due to a decline in routine childhood vaccinations and travelers bringing the disease into the country. It is unclear whether the affected students were unvaccinated. The current two-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is highly effective, with a 93% efficacy rate after one dose and 97% after two doses.
Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital, explained that it is likely this outbreak is among unvaccinated students. Historical data shows that measles primarily spreads among unvaccinated populations. In 2019, nearly 90% of the 1,249 measles cases reported were among unvaccinated individuals.
While two doses of the MMR vaccine are required to attend public schools in Florida, parents can seek exemptions for religious reasons. According to a CDC report from November 2023, at least 90.6% of kindergartners in Florida were fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, but 4.5% of children were exempted from one or more vaccines.
The Florida DOH in Broward County is working with partners, including Broward County Public Schools and local hospitals, to identify contacts at risk of transmission. Health care providers in the area have been notified. Measles spreads rapidly among those who are not immune, so there is a possibility that the number of cases could rise.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can lead to serious health complications, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals. Dr. Brownstein emphasized the importance of herd immunity in preventing the spread of such diseases and expressed concern about potential gaps in herd immunity.
Health officials advise anyone who suspects or notices symptoms to contact their health care provider for instructions on seeking medical care without exposing others. It is crucial not to visit the health department or a doctor’s office without contacting officials ahead of time.
This recent outbreak in Weston, Florida, is part of a larger trend across the United States. Measles outbreaks have occurred in Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington state since December 2023. These outbreaks highlight the need for continued vigilance in maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of measles.
The Florida DOH has not yet responded to ABC News’ request for comment on the situation.
