TAMPA, Fla. — While state officials have declared the measles outbreak in South Florida over, data obtained by CBS News shows that cases in at least three other states have been linked to trips to Florida.
According to the news outlet, health officials think families who reported measles cases in Indiana and Louisiana may have come across each other in Florida.
Another case in Ohio was also linked to Florida travel, although that case is not believed to be connected to the ones in Indiana and Louisiana.
However, Grant Kemp, the deputy press secretary for the Florida Department of Health, told CBS it's misleading to label Florida as the measles epicenter as several other states are also reporting infections. That sentiment was echoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in a notice posted March 8.
"Since January 2024, sixteen states have reported measles cases including: California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington, Indiana, and Arizona. Unfortunately, the measles cases in Florida have received disproportionate attention for political reasons," DeSantis said, in part.
Gov. DeSantis also stood by the state's controversial response to the cluster of measles cases in Broward County.
In a Feb. 20 letter, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said there was no requirement for kids to stay home from school, regardless of measles infection or vaccination status.
Ladapo cited the high immunity rate to measles in the community.
“Once again, Florida has shown that good public health policy includes personal responsibility and parents’ rights,” DeSantis said in his March 8 release.
According to the governor, no additional measles cases have occurred at Manatee Bay Elementary since Friday, Feb.16.
Health officials say people with a full series of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine are 98% protected from the disease. On the other hand, up to 90% of people without immunity will contract measles if exposed, Ladapo added.