Update on measles outbreak in southeast Florida
Tallahassee, Florida - On March 8. 2024, the Florida Department of Health provided an update on the measles outbreak in southeast Florida.
Since January 2024, as of March 7, 2024, 45 cases of measles have been reported in 17 states, which include Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
Florida has reported the most cases of any state, so far this year, when at least 7 students were infected with measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston (Broward County), Florida. No additional cases have occurred at Manatee Bay Elementary since Friday, February 16, 2024, which ends the 21-day infection period.
At another location in Broward County, near Miami, 2 additional cases were reported; all 9 of these cases were determined as having been infected in Florida. Another case was reported in a resident of Polk County as travel-related, having been contracted during a trip between Orlando and Tampa.
In response to the initial cases that were identified, on Sunday, February 18, 2024, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County notified its community of multiple cases of measles under investigation at Manatee Bay Elementary School. On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Florida's State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo sent a letter to the parents and guardians of students attending Manatee Bay Elementary School that provided additional information regarding the outbreak and guidance for parents. The letter stated, “Because of the high likelihood of infection, it is normally recommended that children stay home until the end of the infectious period, which is currently March 7, 2024. As the epidemiological investigation continues, this date could change. However, due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance.”
The State Surgeon General communicated that people with a history of prior infection or vaccination of the full series of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) immunization are 98% protected and are unlikely to contract measles.
Due to the contagiousness of measles and the rate of international travel, there is a possibility for more sporadic cases throughout Florida and the United States.