A child under the age of five has been diagnosed with measles in Broward County, according to Florida Department of Health data, marking the second confirmed case of the highly contagious disease in South Florida this year.
The case, confirmed in April and first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat, involved a child who reportedly contracted measles outside of the United States. It follows a separate case in early March, when a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School in Pinecrest tested positive for the virus.
This comes amid a broader surge in measles across the United States. According to ABC News, at least 1,046 measles cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, with outbreaks — defined as three or more related cases — confirmed in 11 states, including large clusters in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Significant outbreaks have also been reported in neighboring countries such as Mexico and Canada.
Measles is a respiratory illness caused by a virus considered one of the most contagious in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. Children are especially vulnerable. Initial symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. A rash usually follows within three to five days, beginning on the face and spreading down the body. Fevers can spike above 104°F at the peak of the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Medical care focuses on relieving symptoms, preventing complications, and keeping patients comfortable. People who have had measles once are typically immune for life.
Broward County is home to a large population of Caribbean natives, who are typically vaccinated for measles as part of their routine childhood immunization schedule in their home country. However, growing vaccine hesitancy in parts of the U.S. has led to more unvaccinated individuals, contributing to the virus’s resurgence.
Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination, especially for families traveling internationally or living in areas with confirmed cases.
