WESTON, Fla. — Multiple cases of measles, a highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease, have been reported out of a school in South Florida, the Florida Department of Health said over the weekend.
According to local news outlets, the measles cases were reported out of Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, a city about 40 miles north of Miami. As of Monday morning, a total of four cases have been confirmed.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the first case was confirmed on Feb. 15. On Sunday, the health department confirmed that "multiple cases of measles" were being investigated.
A spokesperson with Broward County Public Schools released the following statement, according to Local 10 news:
“The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff remain our utmost priority. The district continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Health - Broward following three additional confirmed measles cases at Manatee Bay Elementary School. The school’s principal is keeping families informed and following health department guidelines to safeguard our community.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles was reported eliminated in 2000 across the United States. That meant there had been a period longer than a year without the disease continuously spreading.
However, multiple outbreaks in 2019 led to the largest number of measles cases — 1,274 — reported since before the disease was eliminated in the U.S. The worst outbreaks occurred in New York City and New York state, but Florida wasn't unscathed. Three measles cases were reported statewide, CDC data shows.
So far in 2024, at least 20 cases of measles were reported across 11 states besides Florida. The CDC data was last updated on Feb. 15 and does not include the Broward County cases at this time.
The CDC says travelers typically are the ones who bring measles into the U.S. Usually, measles cases are kept to a minimum, but the disease can cause outbreaks among people who are not vaccinated.
In Florida, the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for children starting at 12 months. The vaccine is required for children going to daycare and public or private schools. There are vaccine exemptions parents can get for religious reasons.
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to the Florida Department of Health, measles symptoms usually show up between 7 to 14 days after someone is infected. Those symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Within 3 to 5 days, a rash often develops on the face and neck, and can spread to the rest of the body.
How to prevent measles
The Florida Department of Health says the best way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is provided statewide and prevents measles, mumps and rubella, as the name suggests.
What to do if you think you or your child has measles
If you think you or your child has measles or has been exposed to the disease, health officials say you should first call your doctor, healthcare provider, facility or county health department and tell them your concerns.
Don't go directly to those offices or facilities until you've spoken with a doctor or the health department; the health experts will give you instructions on how to get treatment while avoiding exposing others to the disease. For more information, click here.
