Amid a measles outbreak in Florida schools, the state's Department of Health has confirmed nine cases in Broward County, with seven cases reported at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston. The surge in cases has prompted the Florida Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, to defer school attendance decisions to parents, citing high community immunity rates.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) noted confidentiality in their investigations and warned against false reports about the outbreak being spread by media outlets. At Manatee Bay Elementary, where the majority of cases were reported, 97% of students have received at least one MMR immunization dose. However, about 30% of students at the school remain unvaccinated, as reported by the local school board.

FDOH recommends unvaccinated students to stay home for up to 21 days after a confirmed measles case in school, as the virus remains transmissible during this period. The last confirmed case was on Feb. 15, 2024, and the infectious period is set to end on March 7, 2024. The agency is actively educating parents on measles and advocates for continuous learning at home for concerned families.

Several doctors, including Dr. Marc Siegel from NYU Langone Medical Center, stress the importance of measles vaccinations to prevent further outbreaks. Torey Alston, a member of the District 2 School Board in Broward County, expressed gratitude for leadership and support from the surgeon general in addressing the issue and ensuring the safety and academic success of children.

Across the U.S., 35 measles cases have been reported in 15 different jurisdictions as of Feb. 22, 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The current outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations and public health measures in safeguarding communities against infectious diseases.

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