We’ve been keeping you updated on the measles outbreak situation currently developing in Florida.
©Mayo Clinic
Our last update two days ago spoke of cases in Broward County, but now cases have popped up in Central Florida as well.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a Polk County resident aged 20-24 has been diagnosed with measles.
Measles reaches Central Florida as Polk County resident contracts virus https://t.co/l60nn5UfIJ pic.twitter.com/qMDmLurIkG
— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) February 26, 2024
It’s unclear how the person contracted the disease, but the case was reported to the Florida Department of Health on Saturday. As of Sunday, all eight cases in Broward County, which began being reported multiple days ago, were in younger children and teens.
©FloridaSmart
“About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles are hospitalized, as many as 1 in 20 kids who get measles will develop pneumonia. About 1 in 1,000 will develop brain swelling that can cause permanent injury,” according to the Centers for Disease Control. In fact, “Unvaccinated people have a 90% chance of becoming infected if exposed.”
©Maine.gov
In 2022, Polk County had a 95.8% vaccination rate against measles in kindergartners, and Dr. Kenneth Alexander, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando has stated that vaccinated individuals should not be concerned about this outbreak, as 2 doses of the measles vaccine is 97% effective.
©Central Florida Development Council
To avoid contracting this highly contagious disease, the CDC recommends “children get two doses of the vaccine, with a first dose at ages 12 through 15 months, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.” Parents of unvaccinated children in Broward County were advised to make their own decision about sending their child to school amid the outbreak by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who has since been criticized for this decision. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest developments, so stay tuned to DFB.