Travelers bound for Florida may want to double-check their vaccine records in the midst of a measles outbreak.
Nine cases of measles in Fort Lauderdale and one case in Polk County in Central Florida have been reported. The cases in Fort Lauderdale has been linked back to multiple cases at an elementary school, and Florida’s Surgeon General has faced criticism for not requiring parents of unvaccinated children to keep them home. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends keeping unvaccinated children quarantined for 21 days if they have been exposed to the measles virus.
The outbreak may yet seem small, but it’s worth noting that measles is highly contagious. Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, told National Public Radio, “I mean, you can walk by somebody and catch measles if they have it. It’s one of the most infectious diseases that we know about.”
The CDC classifies measles as highly contagious. It’s an airborne virus that spreads through coughs and sneezes. It’s possible to get measles by being in a room where an infected person has been up to two hours after they’ve left, and the infected person can spread measles before even being aware they have the disease, from four days before developing symptoms to four days after.
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The Florida cases account for a significant share of the 35 measles cases reported thus far in 2024. It’s worth noting that measles cases have also been reported in 14 other states in addition to Florida. About one in five unvaccinated people with measles in the US require hospitalization, and the risk for complications is higher in children.
The CDC estimates that most measles cases found in the United States are originate from international travelers who are not vaccinated against measles. The CDC also estimates that two out of three of these unvaccinated travelers are returning Americans. The Florida outbreak thus far has not been directly linked to international travel, but measles has been considered eradicated in the United States since 2000. That status has been maintained because annual outbreaks since then have been small and quickly contained.
Nearly 1,300 cases of measles were reported in the U.S. in 2019—the largest number of cases since 1992. The 2019 outbreaks, which affected 31 states—were all linked to international travel that introduced the virus to vulnerable populations (i.e. those who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated against measles).
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after infection and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash appears three to five days after first development of symptoms. Complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. The CDC estimates that one to three of every 1,000 children who contract measles in the United States will die from respiratory and neurological complications, even with treatment.
The CDC has not issued any domestic travel warnings for measles. The agency recommends that unvaccinated teens and adults with no evidence of immunity should complete a vaccination course two weeks before traveling abroad. The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine comes in two courses–one immediately and the other 28 days after the first. One dose provides 93% protection against measles, and two doses provides 97% protection.
CDC data indicates measles remains prevalent in many parts of the world, and issued an advisory in November, 2023 indicating current outbreaks in 47 countries, concentrated in Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia.
Look no further than their surgeon general.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2024/02/28/wasserman-schultz-calls-for-removal-of-florida-surgeon-general-over-grossly-irresponsible-response-to-measles-outbreak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2024/02/28/wasserman-schultz-calls-for-removal-of-florida-surgeon-general-over-grossly-irresponsible-response-to-measles-outbreak/