BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – The number of measles cases keeps rising at Weston’s Manatee Bay Elementary.
Local 10 News has learned the state has the power to ask the parents of those who have not been vaccinated not to come back to school and indicated that remote lessons may become necessary.
Late Tuesday, the school district shared a Department of Health letter that had been given to parents and guardians of students at Manatee Bay.
The letter, signed by Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, noted, “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. This is the period of time that the virus can be transmitted.”
In that same letter sent home to families, Ladapo said the state is “deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance,” noting that the current infectious window would end around March 7, but noted the date could change.
Since the first case of measles came to light last Friday, the doors at Manatee Bay have remained open.
But amid concerns over the virus, more than 20% of students were out of class Tuesday — 219 out of 1,067 who attend the school — as well as six staff members.
Broward Superintendent Peter Licata visited Manatee Bay Elementary School Tuesday to allay parents’ fears over a series of measles cases affecting students at the Weston campus.
It came hours before officials reported a sixth case of the highly-infectious disease connected with the school, located at 19200 Manatee Isles Drive.
Licata checked in with students and teachers as they returned to class following the Presidents’ Day holiday.
“It’s safe,” Licata said. “It’s safe if your child is vaccinated.”
Licata said the district is “doing everything possible here at the school with cleaning and changing air filters,” also noting that Manatee Bay has a vaccination rate of around 92%.
“Currently there are 33 of 1,067 Manatee Bay students that do not have an MMR vaccine for various reasons,” Licata told Local 10 News Wednesday.
While two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are required to attend Florida public schools, parents can seek religious or medical exemptions. The South Florida cases come amid a worldwide surge in cases as vaccination rates decline.
Licata said it was too premature to determine whether to close the school if cases keep rising.
Dr. Ron Ford, the chief medical officer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, said the Florida Department of Health is likely trying to limit the spread and isolate the infected patients, who were likely unvaccinated.
“Two things you need: you need a virus and you need vulnerable population. And unfortunately, that’s what we have here,” Ford said. “As a pediatrician, I’m always going to take the side that vaccines are important, that they prevent disease in children.”
Broward County School Board member Allen Zeman says the local health department should be deciding who stays home and who is allowed to go to school.
He also added that Broward Schools does have the authority to shut down schools including middle and high schools where siblings of those affected attend.
“I was really hopeful that the Department of Health would take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this disease that can cause brain damage, it can be deadly,” said Broward County School Board member Sarah Leonardi. “It was disappointing that they chose not to take those measures.”
Read the letter here: