After Surge Of Measles Cases In Florida, 15 Other States See New Cases

As measles cases continue to rise in the United States and surpass the total number of cases reported in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned about a potential outbreak. 

In 2023, 58 cases were reported in the U.S. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, emphasized that the rise in cases should serve as an alert rather than a cause for alarm.

Florida was the first to see a rise in cases of the disease, which was eliminated in the U.S. years ago. Blame has fallen squarely on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ surgeon general, vaccine-skeptic Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who allowed unvaccinated kids to return to schools where outbreaks had occurred. 

The CDC has confirmed 64 cases across 16 other states, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

Parents are advised to converse with trusted pediatricians about vaccination to combat the spread of measles. This proactive approach can contribute to the uphill battle to promote vaccine confidence, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highly contagious, measles can land in the air and on surfaces for hours after an infected person has left the area. There is no specific treatment for measles, as it is a viral infection that must run its course. Approximately one in five individuals with measles will require hospitalization. Symptoms of measles include high fever, a distinct measles rash, congestion, runny nose, cough and sore throat. Measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis and compromise the immune system. Individuals with measles remain susceptible to other viral or bacterial infections for several months afterward.

The CDC and local health officials strongly recommend vaccination for everyone, as nine out of ten unvaccinated individuals exposed to the measles virus will contract the disease. 

Parents are advised to share travel history and vaccination records with healthcare providers in the event of potential exposure to measles. Communicating any symptoms, such as fever, rash or upper respiratory issues, is crucial to facilitate accurate diagnoses. Healthcare providers, who may not have encountered measles given its eradication status, rely on detailed medical histories to identify potential cases.

The increasing number of measles cases serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations and proactive healthcare practices.