We’ve been keeping a close eye on the measles outbreak in Florida.

via Orlando Sentinel

It first started in South Florida, eventually making its way to Central Florida. And now, measles has been reported in Orlando. Here’s what we know.

Orlando Health has confirmed four measles cases at its Central Florida emergency departments within the past month, the Orlando Sentinel has reported. State officials say there is “no outbreak” in the Orlando area itself.

Orlando Health confirms 4 measles cases, but there’s no local spread, state officials say https://t.co/7neFkoYM1K pic.twitter.com/mw4BOTg6Ro

— Orlando Sentinel (@orlandosentinel) February 29, 2024

One case was an adult with the other three being children under 2, according to a spokesperson for Orlando Health.

No other details have been released at this time, but the Florida Department of Health has reported only two measles cases in kids less than 2 years old in 2024. This means at least one case treated by Orlando Health this month has not been recorded in the public tally for the state.

©Mayo Clinic

The state health department has reported 10 measles cases in 2024 so far: nine in Broward County and one in Polk County. Most of the Broward cases were linked to a single school, Manatee Bay Elementary.

Weesam Khoury is a Florida Department of Health spokesperson who wouldn’t discuss specifics about the Orlando patients, but said, “There is no community outbreak of measles in Orlando.”

Florida Palm Trees

She continued, “Cases of communicable diseases are not classified as a Florida case if they are not residents. If a non-Florida resident gets a communicable disease outside Florida, it is not a Florida case.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of Friday there have been at least 35 measles cases in 15 states in 2024, most of which are related to international travel.

©Maine.gov

In addition, the Florida Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, shared a letter telling parents that despite 21 days being the recommended time to keep unvaccinated kids at home when exposed, the decision to keep their children home was up to them. This goes against traditional public health guidance and garnered criticism.

Travel

“This [advice] is contrary to 50 years of really good public health policy,” said Dr. Kenneth Alexander, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Nemours Children’s Health in Orlando. “We’re leaving up to parents a decision that parents don’t have the toolset to make.”

To avoid contracting this highly contagious disease, the CDC recommends “children get two doses of the vaccine, with a first dose at ages 12 through 15 months, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.”

Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to bring you news you can use ahead of your next Disney World trip.