Orlando Health Confirms Four Measles Cases, State Officials Deny Outbreak in Orlando Area
In a surprising turn of events, Orlando Health has confirmed four cases of measles at its Central Florida emergency departments within the past month. However, state officials are denying the existence of an outbreak in the Orlando area. This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy of the state’s public tally and the transparency of the Florida Department of Health.
According to Lisa Maria Garza, a spokesperson for Orlando Health, one case involved an adult, while the remaining three cases affected children under the age of two. Unfortunately, no further details were provided regarding these cases. The Florida Department of Health, on the other hand, has reported only two measles cases in children under two years old in 2024. This means that at least one of the measles cases treated by Orlando Health this month was not recorded in the state’s official count.
Currently, the state health department is reporting a total of 10 measles cases in Florida for 2024. Nine of these cases are residents of Broward County, while one is a resident of Polk County. The majority of the Broward cases have been linked to community spread at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston.
Weesam Khoury, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health, declined to provide specific information about the Orlando Health patients. However, she emphasized that there is no evidence of community measles spread in Orlando at this time. Khoury explained that if someone receives treatment for a communicable disease in Florida but contracted it outside the state, they are not classified as a Florida case. Instead, this information would be shared with the state where they reside.
Healthcare providers are legally required to report suspected measles cases to their local county health department or the Department’s Bureau of Epidemiology. The department then conducts confidential investigations, including contact tracing and monitoring of individuals with possible exposure.
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. Most of these cases are related to international travel. Measles, which was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, resurfaced this year when a third grader at Manatee Bay Elementary in Broward County tested positive for the virus on February 16. Since then, the virus has spread throughout the school.
The response from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, the state’s top health official, has come under scrutiny. On February 20, Ladapo sent a letter to parents stating that although the recommended protocol is to keep unvaccinated children home for 21 days, the decision was ultimately up to the parents. This departure from traditional public health guidance has drawn criticism from local and state experts who argue that parents may not have the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision about their children’s health.
Measles is an extremely infectious but preventable disease. Vaccination provides 97% protection against disease transmission, and two shots confer lifelong immunity. However, if an unvaccinated person comes into contact with measles, they have a 90% chance of contracting it.
As news outlets, including the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun Sentinel, attempted to gather more information about the outbreak, they were met with silence from the Department of Health. The lack of transparency and failure to address inquiries about vaccination status raise concerns about the state’s handling of the situation.
In response to media reports and alleged false information surrounding the outbreak, the Florida Department of Health released a statement on X (formerly Twitter). The statement defended the confidentiality of epidemiological investigations while accusing media outlets of politicizing the outbreak.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for state officials to provide accurate information and maintain transparency. The health and safety of the community depend on it.
