FL Measles Outbreak Spreads To Polk County

FLORIDA — Florida’s measles outbreak continues to spread, with the first case outside Broward County reported in Central Florida, according to multiple reports.

A Polk County resident between the ages of 20 and 24 has been infected with the disease, the Orlando Sentinel reported. They are the first adult to contract measles this year in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health called this “a travel-related case,” according to a notice from the agency to health-care providers in the state.

This follows weeks of cases being reported at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Broward County.

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As of Monday, there were 10 measles cases reported in the state since Feb. 1 — one in Polk County and nine in Broward County — data from Merlin, Florida’s reportable disease surveillance system, shows.

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.

“The letter doesn’t explicitly say we need to get more people vaccinated, and that is a key point that families need to know,” Dr. Aileen Marty told NBC News Miami.

U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is based in South Florida, has called for Ladapo’s resignation, WMNF reported.

“From where I stand, Surgeon General Ladapo needs to go,” she said during a news conference in Broward County. “To leave all of the burden of deciding whether to send their children to school if they are unvaccinated on parents is grossly irresponsible.”

Suspected measles cases should be reported immediately to local county health departments or the FDOH’s Bureau of Epidemiology at 850-245-4401, the agency said.

Those who have received the full series of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunization are 98 percent protected and are highly unlikely to contract measles, the FDOH in Broward County said in an earlier news release.

Measles is highly contagious and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, with more than a 90 percent contraction rate among susceptible contacts.

Those at risk include people who are immunocompromised and/or those who have not received a full series of the MMR immunization.

Based on the exposure time frame, DOH-Broward is identifying susceptible contacts that may be candidates for post-exposure prophylaxis through MMR or immunoglobulin.

The symptoms of measles generally begin about eight to 14 days after exposure but can range up to 21 days. Transmission is possible four days before the rash becomes visible and four days after the rash appears.

In some cases, measles can result in severe outcomes, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

The most prominent symptom of measles is a rash that often develops on the face and neck and can spread to the rest of the body. Prior to this rash, symptoms of measles can include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes