5th case of measles detected at Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston

WESTON — On Monday afternoon another case of measles was detected in Broward.

A Broward Schools official released a statement that in part, read: 

“We received updated information from the Florida Department of Health – Broward regarding one additional confirmed case of measles at Manatee Bay Elementary School. This brings the total number of cases to five.”  

The Florida Department of Health is carrying out an epidemiological investigation surrounding the multiple cases of measles at the elementary school in Weston.

“Please note all details regarding the investigation are confidential,” the agency stated. “DOH-Broward is continuously working with all partners including Broward County Public Schools and local hospitals to identify contacts that are at risk of transmission.”

The school district ordered new air filters for the school and every surface to be cleaned by a special machine used during COVID-19.

“I mean obviously you have concerns but my children are vaccinated,” said parent Stacey Zannini.  

“We went through the pandemic a couple years ago and everybody kind of knows the situation. If you’re vaccinated, it is what it is. I mean you’re gonna send your kid to school, do what you can,” said parent Jared Andres.   

More than 50 children with symptoms or at high risk have come through Memorial Healthcare. Because measles is so contagious, doctors are urging parents not to bring children with symptoms to the emergency room unless they are in danger. Instead, doctors say to call a pediatrician first.

“This really has been confined to that particular area and I know people have come through the hospital but there have not been confirmed cases, just people coming in concerned,” said school board member Debbie Hixon.  

“Parents of children who aren’t immune need to be very vigilant now that we know measles is in our community,” said Dr. Ronald Ford with Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital.

According to the school district, Manatee Bay has nearly 1,100 students, and 86 of them are not vaccinated against measles.

“They’re our biggest concern, because they’re the most vulnerable to this infection and to develop the full measles picture with all the symptoms,” said Ford. 

In its press release, DOH-Broward has notified local healthcare providers, stating that those who have received the full series of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization are 98% protected and are highly unlikely to contract the disease.

Some parents said they checked right away to see if their child had both doses of the recommended vaccine.

“That was the first thing, I double-checked right away to actually make sure they had both of their doses when they were little just to make sure I had that peace of mind,” said Zannini.  

According to DOH-Broward, measles is highly contagious and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, with over a 90% contraction rate among susceptible contacts, including those who are immunocompromised or have not received the full series of MMR vaccinations.

DOH-Broward stated that symptoms generally begin about eight to 14 hours after exposure but can range up to 21 days. Transmission is possible four days before the rash becomes visible and four days after it appears. Additionally, in some cases, measles can result in severe outcomes, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

The most prominent symptom of measles is the rash that develops on the face and neck, which can spread to the rest of the body. However, DOH-Broward notes that other symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes