By late February, nine cases of the highly-infectious measles were reported in Broward County. The outbreak began at an elementary school in Weston on Feb. 16, bringing concern to many in the health and school communities over the possibility of more cases.
Health professionals like Florida Keys pediatrician Dr. Stan Zuba also took issue with the Florida surgeon general’s response to the recent outbreak.
As confirmed measles cases reached six on Feb. 20, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo issued a letter to parents of Manatee Bay Elementary to offer guidance through the ongoing outbreak. His letter delved into the data, which stated that kids who received their full series of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine are 98% protected from contracting measles. Those who didn’t get the vaccine, however, have a 90% chance of contracting measles if exposed.
When measles is detected at school, unvaccinated kids are usually recommended to stay home for up to 21 days. Ladapo’s statements, however, deferred to parents and guardians on whether to send their kids to school. Ladapo’s statements alluded to a high immunity rate in the community and the burden on families of keeping healthy children out of school.
“Broward County School District is prepared to provide continuous learning to all children at Manatee Bay Elementary School whose parents/guardians choose to keep them at home,” Ladapo’s letter stated. “If someone in your household contracts measles, all members of the household should consider themselves exposed and monitor symptoms.”
Ladapo’s decision to give parents the ultimate say in sending their kids to school went against public health policy, Zuba said. The virus is one of the most infectious diseases known to mankind, Zuba said, and can live on surfaces for several hours.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics says if you’re not vaccinated or you’re at risk, you should stay out of that institution for 21 days until the risk of contagiousness is gone. And now he (Ladapo) is bucking that.”
In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. Outbreaks still occur in the states, however, since measles is commonly transmitted in many parts of the world. The majority of cases in the U.S. are among people who haven’t received the measles vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Common symptoms associated with measles include fever, rash, cough and watery eyes. Symptoms can worsen to brain infection or measles pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Per the Florida Department of Health, measles can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.
Zuba said those who received the vaccination shouldn’t worry about contracting measles. Those who haven’t received the vaccine, however, are putting themselves at high risk. According to a report by NPR, 8% of kindergarteners attending Broward County schools weren’t vaccinated.
“We need at least 93% of our population to be vaccinated against measles to prevent it from becoming widespread. And we’re just barely at that point now,” Zuba said. “I’m concerned about it spreading, especially if we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do based on the guidance of our supposed leader of public health.”
Per the health department, a second dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine is recommended on or after a child turns 4 and prior to entry into kindergarten. Florida allows for religious exemptions to school vaccination requirements, however. In that case, a request for religious exemption from vaccine requirements must be presented to the school. The form is issued by county health departments only for a child who is not immunized because of his/her family’s religious tenets or practices.
Zuba said the benefits of vaccinating against measles far outweigh the risks. He urged parents to listen to their health care providers and not “people’s opinions.”
“Nothing is 100% safe, but it’s more than 1-million-to-one chance that you’ll have any sort of serious reaction to measles vaccine. Whereas if you get measles there’s a much higher percentage chance you’ll get sick.”
The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) stocks and offers the measles vaccine at three Keys clinics. People can call DOH-Monroe at 305-293-7500 to schedule an appointment to get immunized against measles.
