'Canary in the coal mine': Measles reported in Florida school. 11 things you should know
Several cases of measles have been reported at a Florida elementary school.
The highly contagious disease was reported less than a month after the Centers for Disease Control urged health-care providers across the United States to use vigilance with patients after 23 cases of the preventable virus were reported between Dec. 1 and Jan. 23.
While the total number of cases remains low, reports of new infections continue to be reported across the U.S., with Florida cases now being added.
As of Feb. 15, just before the first case was reported in Florida, 20 measles cases were reported in Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. CDC data on current measles cases is updated monthly.
Here's what you should know about measles, where it's been reported and what you should look for.
How many cases of measles have been reported in Florida?
The Health Department in Broward County is investigating at least four cases of measles. All were reported at an elementary school in Weston.
Broward County Schools confirmed the first case Feb. 16 in a third-grader who had no history of traveling, the Sun Sentinel reported.
On Feb. 17, officials at the Florida Department of Health announced it was investigating more cases but did not say whether the cases involved students, teachers or school staff.
Were measles reported in people who have been vaccinated?
Those who have received the full series of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella — MMR — immunization are 98% protected and are highly unlikely to contract measles, the Department of Health said.
Florida saw 15 cases of measles in 2018
According to the Florida Department of Health, in recent history, there were 15 cases of measles in 2018, the highest figure between 2013 and 2020.
CDC: US is at a 'canary in the coal mine' moment with measles
The U.S. is at a “canary in the coal mine” moment with rising cases among children of the highly infectious, vaccine-preventable disease, said Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
Federal data has shown a large drop in vaccinations and record levels of vaccine exemptions among kindergartners.
“We're going to start seeing more and more of these outbreaks,” Osterholm told USA TODAY. “We're going to see more kids seriously ill, hospitalized and even die. And what's so tragic about this, these are all preventable.”
Florida children required to be vaccinated but there are exemptions
Students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who are coming into a Florida school for the first time must present an immunization record (DH 680) and a current Florida School Entry Physical Examination, Form (DH 3040).
The immunization record must show the student has met the minimum state requirements for that grade, which includes the MMR vaccine.
Medical and religious exemptions from required vaccinations for Florida students do exist.
A permanent medical exemption can be granted if a child cannot be fully immunized due to medical reasons. The child's physician must state, in writing, the reasons for exemption based on valid clinical reasoning or evidence.
A religious exemption from immunization, is issued — Form DH 681 — can be issued if immunizations are in conflict with the religious tenets and practices of the child's parent or guardian. This exemption is issued by a county health department and based on established religious beliefs or practices only.
Vaccination rates have dropped in the U.S., according to a CDC report. The U.S. reached its highest level ever for vaccine exemptions in the 2022-23 school year, with about a quarter-million kindergartners at risk of measles.
Florida school vaccination requirements: Are your children's vaccines up to date before school starts? 9 things parents should know
How dangerous is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, according to the CDC.
Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.
Nearly one to three of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, the CDC said.
Complications during pregnancy. Measles may cause pregnant women who have not had the MMR vaccine to give birth prematurely, or have a low-birth-weight baby.
Groups more likely to suffer from complications include:
Children younger than 5.
Adults older than 20.
Pregnant women.
People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection.
There also can be longterm complications from measles.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare, but fatal disease of the central nervous system that results from a measles virus infection acquired earlier in life. It can appear seven to 10 years after a person has recovered from measles.
Signs and symptoms of measles
Measles symptoms first appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus, according to the CDC. Symptoms include:
High fever, which may spike to more than 104.
Cough.
Runny rose.
Red, watery eyes.
Tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
The measles rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots.
The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.
When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees.
How does measles spread?
Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected, the CDC said. It lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to other through coughing and sneezing.
If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, they can become infected. The virus can live up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves the area.
The virus can be spread up to four days before through four days after the rash appears. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.
What is the treatment if you're exposed or get measles?
Infected people should be isolated for four days after they develop a rash, according to the CDC.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Medical care is supportive, with the focus on relieving symptoms and addressing complications such as bacterial infections.
Severe measles cases among children, such as those who are hospitalized, should be treated with vitamin A immediately on diagnosis and repeated the next day, the CDC said.
What is the MMR vaccine and does it protect you from measles?
Measles can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, the CDC said. The vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.
The recommended schedule to receive the vaccine:
Children
First dose: 12-15 months
Second dose: 4-6 years
Teens and adults with no evidence of immunity
Vaccine should be taken as soon as possible
The CDC said two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.
Can the measles vaccine cause autism?
The U.S. is seeing a growing body of parents who don’t want to comply with vaccine recommendations, coupled with lagging access to health care to get vaccinated amid the pandemic, Osterholm said.
In 1998, a report by Andrew Wakefield in Lancet suggested the MMR vaccine may be linked to autism. Despite questions about the article — including the small sample size and "speculative nature of the conclusions" — vaccination rates began to drop, according to the National Library of Medicine.
The Lancet completely retracted the article in February 2010, saying several elements in the paper were incorrect. The publication also said it had failed to disclose Wakefield had been funded by lawyers who had been engaged by parents in lawsuits against vaccine-producing companies.
Scientists in the United States and other countries have studied the MMR shot. No studies have found a link between autism and the MMR shot, the CDC said.
The possibility of a link between the vaccine and autism also has been reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (now named the National Academy of Medicine). The same conclusion was reached.
What about the MMRV vaccine?
Children may also get MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).
This vaccine is only licensed for use in children who are 12 months through 12 years of age.
Where is Weston, Florida?
Weston is located west of Fort Lauderdale and about 40 miles southwest of West Palm Beach.
Contributors: Katherine Kokal, Eduardo Cuevas
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Measles in Florida 2024: Symptoms, treatment, rash, vaccine
