Florida measles cases continue to rise. New case reported in second county

The number of measles cases in Florida continues to climb, with a total of nine cases reported in the state.

For the first time, a case has been confirmed outside of Broward County.

As of Feb. 25, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed eight cases of measles in Broward County. The newest case was reported in Polk County.

Measles map: See where measles cases are being reported across the US

Here's what we know.

Where has measles been reported in Florida?

As of Feb. 25, there have been nine cases of measles reported in Florida since Feb. 1, according to the Florida Department of Health.

• Broward County: 8

• Polk County: 1

Where are the measles coming from?

Of the nine cases, eight have been confirmed and one has been listed as probable by the Department of Health.

The measles case in Polk County has been listed as travel related.

What are the ages of those getting measles?

Almost all those contracting measles are under the age of 14. Here's the breakdown:

• Ages 0-4: 1

• Ages 5-9: 4

• Ages 10-14: 3

• Ages 20-24: 1

Where were the first cases of measles reported in Florida?

The first case was reported at Manatee Bay Elementary School Feb. 16, in Weston in Broward County. The number of cases continued to climb last week.

Joseph Ladapo under fire for measles response

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo last week contradicted federal and medical professional guidelines to contain the spread of measles.

Ladapo wrote in a Feb. 20 letter to Manatee Bay parents that when measles is detected in a school, "it is normally recommended that individuals without history of prior infection or vaccination stay home for up to 21 days."

But then he added, "due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, (Department of Health) is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance."

That statement conflicts with federal and medical professional recommendations that children from the school should remain at home to prevent the spread of measles. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends unvaccinated children exposed to measles be isolated for three weeks.

Ladapo has been a controversial figure since he was appointed as Florida’s surgeon general in 2021, repeatedly criticizing COVID-19 vaccines and issuing increasingly stringent recommendations urging various populations not to get them, despite assurances by federal authorities they are safe.

As measles spreads: Top doctor defies CDC recommendations. Who is Florida’s surgeon general?

Ladapo's letter to parents on measles in Broward County school

Health experts say Florida's surgeon general putting children in harm's way

This is a state surgeon general saying that he is not going to enforce any of the tenets of public health in the name of freedom,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which has worked to contain a recent measles outbreak among children in the Pennsylvania city. “He wants freedom at the expense of putting children in harm’s way.”

The only freedom Ladapo is upholding is the "freedom to harm," Offit said.

“This is a vaccine-preventable disease,” Dr. Thresia Gambon, president of the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told USA TODAY. “There are very strict guidelines as to what to do in an outbreak in order to contain it quickly.”

Gambon’s organization, which represents pediatricians in the state, supports CDC’s recommendation that children at the school should have been told to isolate.

How does measles spread?

Measles is a viral infection that is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, according to the CDC.

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 become infected, the CDC said. It can spread to others 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.

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.

Is measles serious? Can it be treated?

Measles can come with serious risk. About one in five children who become ill end up in the hospital, the CDC said. And 1 in 1,000 can develop encephalitis, or brain swelling that can have neurological effects. Between one and three children in a thousand will die.

There is no specific treatment for measles. Medical care is supportive, with the focus on relieving symptoms and addressing complications such as bacterial infections, the CDC said.

A full-dose regimen of the vaccine is about 98% effective against measles.

What should you do if you suspect or see any symptoms of measles?

Contact your health provider for instructions on how to safely seek medical attention before you visit a clinic or hospital. This prevents others from possibly being exposed.

Contributor: Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today; Brandon Girod, Florida network.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida measles outbreak: Broward, Polk counties report cases. Symptoms