BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Data from the Florida Department of Health shows there are now nine cases of measles in Broward County.
Seven of those involve students at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, where the outbreak first began earlier this month, according to Broward County Superintendent Peter Licata.
“As of now, all confirmed cases for Broward County Public Schools are specific to Manatee Bay Elementary, with no other district schools impacting,” said Licata. “The individual impacted by this case has not physically been on campus since February 15 for the infectious period of 21 days remains unchanged until March 7.
The news has raised the concerns of parents of students who attend Manatee Bay Elementary.
“From what’s been going on, I understand some of the kids are not vaccinated. It’s because of that the outbreak is going,” said Shanti Selvaraj, whose child attends kindergarten at Manatee Bay Elementary.
“They notify you if you had contact and we haven’t been notified,” said parent Richard Berger. “My daughter’s vaccinated and I feel bad for the people that have it, but also would say it’s a call to get your kid vaccinated.”
Measles is known to be highly contagious.
“If somebody unimmunized is next to somebody who coughs with measles, there’s a 90% chance that person will get measles, it is highly contagious,” said Dr. Dyan Hes, a New York pediatrician and part-time South Florida resident.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, a Democrat who oversees that Weston area district, believes the state mishandled what she deems a public health emergency.
“We need strong public health information and action in Florida or people will die,” she said.
Wasserman-Schultz called on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to fire and replace Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo, an unlikely move, for keeping the school open and only recommending quarantine, yet leaving the final choice to parents on whether to send their kids to school.
“Surgeon General Ladapo is a misinformation superspreader,” said Wasserman-Schultz.
As a result of the recent outbreak, Licata says the school and its busses are continuing to undergo regular cleanings.
“Above and beyond our normal cleaning,” he added.
“We have like five bottles of hand sanitizer in our room. They’re trying to make sure everybody stays clean,” said Gemma Berger, a fourth grader at Manatee Elementary School.
“They are cleaning the school every single day, so I feel safe to send my child, and also, he’s vaccinated,” said Selvaraj.
Broward School Board member Torey Alston said he’s concerned not just about future funding, but salary bumps to other employees.
“This board has a vote before it that we’re only considering teachers, but we don’t have the funds to consider funds for any other group? That’s disgusting,” he said.