FL Measles Outbreak Spreads To 2 New Counties

FLORIDA ? Measles cases have been reported in two new Florida counties in recent weeks, according to data from the Florida Department of Health.

Since mid-March, the disease has spread into Martin and Orange counties, data from Merlin, Florida?s reportable disease surveillance system, shows.

Twelve cases have been reported in Florida since Jan. 1 ? nine in Broward County and one each in Martin, Orange, and Polk counties.

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Florida made national headlines earlier this year after a measles outbreak was reported at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Broward County.

Since the outbreak started, Florida?s surgeon general Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo has come under fire for not encouraging vaccination against measles, Patch previously reported.

Though those unvaccinated against measles or those who haven?t previously had the viral infection typically stay home for up to 21 days to prevent its spread, he told parents at Manatee Bay in a letter that he would allow parents and guardians to decide whether their unvaccinated child would attend school or not during the outbreak.

Vaccinations have reduced the risk of measles in most U.S. communities, but pockets of the country continue to have low vaccine coverage, leaving some areas at higher risk for outbreaks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said.

As of April 11, there have been 121 measles cases reported by 17 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Fifty-six percent of all cases nationwide have been hospitalized, the CDC said.

Of those who have contracted measles, 82 percent are unvaccinated or their vaccination status isn?t known, according to the agency.

Most U.S. measles cases this year are among children around 1 year of age who have not yet had measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccinations, the CDC said. The agency typically recommends two doses of MMR vaccine, the first at age 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years, or before starting school for the first time.

As of the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, 93.1 percent of incoming kindergarten students had received the necessary doses of MMR vaccine, according to CDC data. In Florida, 90.6 percent of kindergarteners received their MMR shots.

The early symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and pink eye, which can last for about two to four days before a rash appears. The incubation period for measles, from initial exposure to fever, is usually around 10 days. The rash typically starts about 14 days after the initial exposure.

The virus responsible for measles is transmitted through direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Infected people are contagious four days before the rash starts through four days after.