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Miami Herald
05-03-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Are you at risk for measles? Miami sees case amid U.S. outbreak. What to know in Florida
Florida has reported the state's first measles case this year as other parts of the country try to control a growing outbreak. The U.S. has recorded more than 100 cases of the disease in 2025, with ground zero Texas reporting the country's first measles-related death in nearly a decade. Now, a Miami-Dade County teen is sick with measles. The Palmetto Senior High student is Florida's first confirmed case of the disease this year, according to preliminary data from Florida's reportable disease surveillance system. In 2024, the state had at least a dozen cases of the rash-causing disease, some of which were linked to an outbreak at a Broward elementary school. The school says the risk is low for students who are vaccinated and that it's working with local health officials to take preventive measures. In general, the risk of a measles outbreak at Palmetto will largely depend on what percent of the students, faculty and staff are vaccinated and whether the student was in contact with others who are not vaccinated. Public health measures including sanitation, vaccination and isolating people considered to be at risk will also be key in reducing the risk of spread. The highly contagious disease was eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 following an effective and strong vaccination program. The vaccine is required to attend K-12 school in the U.S. though some students may have a religious or medical exemption. And while the measles isn't common, outbreaks can still happen, usually when an unvaccinated traveler falls ill in another country and comes into the U.S., spreading the virus to other unvaccinated people. 'The reason that we don't get hundreds of cases like we did way in the past, before vaccination, is because of vaccination,' said Mary Jo Trepka, professor and chair of the epidemiology department at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work at Florida International University. One person with measles can infect 9 out of 10 people they come in contact with who are not protected, either from vaccination or by a previous infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR, which is required to attend K-12 school in the U.S., is highly effective in preventing infection, Trepka said. How does measles spread? Measles can spread through coughing, sneezing and by touching infected surfaces. For those who are vaccinated, infection is rare. For those who previously had measles, you can't get the infection again. While most people can recover at home, measles can be dangerous and lead to severe complications in certain at-risk groups who don't have immunity, including children younger then 5, adults older then 20, people who are pregnant or who are immunocompromised, according to the CDC. Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling and premature birth. Some people might get seriously ill and die. What are the symptoms? Measles can be transmitted four days before the start of symptoms, according to the Florida health department. Symptoms can appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus, and are at first similar to a normal cold and can include cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a high fever up to 105 degrees. Then come the red spots and bumps on the face, spreading downward to the neck, chest, legs, arm and feet. The rash typically appears three five days after the first symptoms. To confirm measles, a doctor will usually order a blood test, swab your nose or throat or have you pee in a cup for a urine test. It can take 10 to 14 days to recover from the measles if you don't have complications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Is the measles vaccine effective? ▪ The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR, is mandatory to attend all public and private childcare and K-12 schools in Florida, although some students may be eligible for medical or religious exemptions. ▪ One dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or MMR, is about 93% effective, with two doses about 97% effective, according to the CDC. Once you get the two-dose vaccination, you're protected for life, experts say. ▪ Kids should get the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. About 3 of 100 people vaccinated with two doses will fall ill if exposed to the virus, the CDC says. Is there a risk of a measles outbreak? The risk of a measles outbreak in Miami-Dade County or at Palmetto Senior High, similar to what was seen last year at Manatee Bay elementary in Weston, will depend on vaccination rates. The more people in a school or community who are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, the less risk there is for a measles outbreak, according to Trepka, the FIU expert. 'Because measles is a disease that is so contagious, we have to have extremely high rates of vaccination or we will end up seeing outbreaks,' Trepka said. 'There is almost no wiggle room when it comes to measles in terms of vaccination.' It's recommended that at least 95% of the population be vaccinated to help reduce the risk of measles spreading, according to Trepka. She said this is not just to protect yourself against the disease, but to protect those who have not been vaccinated or are unable to get vaccinated. Some people, including those who may have a weakened immune system, may not be able to get the vaccine. And remember, students don't just go to school — they also go to grocery stores, movie theaters and other areas of the community. The Miami Herald has contacted Miami-Dade County Public Schools to inquire about the vaccination rate at Palmetto Senior High and the infected student's vaccination status. Based on the most recently available state, nearly 93% of seventh-graders and nearly 91% of kindergartners enrolled in public and private schools in Miami-Dade County in 2023 had received their school-required immunizations, not just the MMR vaccine. It is not clear if this data reflects completed or partially-completed immunizations. What is the measles situation in Florida and the rest of the U.S.? As of Feb. 27, the country has reported 164 measles cases across Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas, according to the CDC. Of these, nearly all cases were outbreak-associated and involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. CDC officials have recently arrived to Texas, which is ground zero of the country's current measles outbreak, to help try and control the spread of the disease. Many of the cases are occurring in a county that is home to a large unvaccinated Mennonite population. The state recently confirmed that an unvaccinated child with no underlying health conditions had died from the disease, marking the country's first measles death since 2015 and the first measles death in a child in the U.S. since 2003, CNN reports. As of Wednesday morning, the only measles case reported in Florida involved a Miami-Dade teen between the ages of 15 and 19, state data shows. State health officials don't know yet if the teen was infected in Florida or elsewhere. The student attends Miami Palmetto Senior High School in Pinecrest. The school said it's working to notify parents of students who had close contact with the infected student. What to do if exposed or diagnosed ▪ If you're vaccinated for measles, it's rare that you'll fall ill but you should still notify your doctor and monitor for symptoms. However, if you're not vaccinated or have never previously had measles, speak with your doctor about getting the MMR vaccine. ▪ Trepka says children and adults who were exposed to someone with measles are not vaccinated should get the MMR vaccine immediately to reduce the risk of infection. If you get the vaccine within 72 hours after initial exposure, it could provide some protection against the disease or help you have a milder illness, the CDC says. Your doctor might also opt to give you a medicine called immunoglobulin within six days of exposure to reduce your risk of severe illness. ▪ Health experts recommend people contact their doctor for guidance if they were exposed to measles. Don't show up to the doctor without notifying the office beforehand to reduce the risk of exposing others. Telehealth appointments are another option. South Florida doctors the Miami Herald spoke with last year also recommended people avoid visiting the ER for a diagnosis unless they have another medical emergency to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to other high-risk people. ▪ If you have measles, the CDC recommends staying home for four days after developing the rash to reduce your risk of spreading the virus to others. And follow the COVID protocols: Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, don't share drinks or eating utensils and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. ▪ Because measles is a virus, the body needs to fight it off. Dr. Ronald Ford, chief medical officer at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, told the Herald during last year's measles scare. Those those sick with measles need to stay hydrated, wash their hands frequently and and take fever reducer medication as needed to help feel better.
Miami Herald
21-02-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
The flu is going around Miami. Is it too late to get a vaccine? What the experts say
Are you thinking about getting the flu vaccine? The U.S. is seeing its worst flu season in 15 years and it seems like everyone is getting sick. It's usually recommended that people get vaccinated between September and October ahead of the colder winter months. But don't worry — doctors and health experts say it's not too late to get the shot. 'Given the level of flu activity right now, I believe we're going to have at least a couple more months when it's going to be around, and that means that you will absolutely have a benefit if you decide to get vaccinated today,' said Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Florida International University. The U.S. flu season typically runs from October to May, but you'll need to roll up your sleeve quickly. It generally takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop some protection against the flu virus. Here's what else to know: Is the flu vaccine effective against the influenza strain in Florida? The good news is that influenza A — the strain predominantly circulating in Miami-Dade County and the rest of Florida — is one of three targeted by the 2024-2025 flu vaccine. The shot is trivalent, which means it was designed to help protect against three flu strains — influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria virus. 'The flu vaccine doesn't always protect you from getting an infection but if you do get the infection it does assist in preventing the severity of that infection,' said Dr. Marcos Mestre, chief medical officer for Nicklaus Children's Hospital near South Miami. READ MORE: 'Everybody is getting sick.' Flu is on the rise in Florida — and here's what doctors say Who should consider getting the flu vaccine? The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get the single-shot flu vaccine annually, especially those who are considered to be higher risk for severe complications. This includes adults 65 and older, children younger than 2, and people who are pregnant, are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions including asthma, heart disease and chronic lung disease. Where can you get the flu vaccine? You can find flu vaccines at CVS, Walgreens, Navarro Discount Pharmacies, CVS y Mas, Costco, and at some doctor offices and community health centers. Some grocery and retail stores with pharmacies usually have the shots available, including Publix, Target stores with CVS pharmacies inside, and Walmart. While you can schedule an appointment online, you can also just show up and see if they have a shot in stock. How much do flu vaccines cost? Flu vaccines are covered by most private health insurance plans and are also covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Make sure you get vaccinated at an in-network provider. Check your insurance for more information. For people without insurance, the cost of a flu vaccine will vary and can usually cost from $20 to $120, according to GoodRX. At CVS, for example, flu shots cost $68.99-$115.99. At Walgreens, the vaccine costs $58.99, with the flu vaccine for people 65 and older priced at $108.99. Costco has flu vaccines for $19.99. The shot for seniors 65 and older costs $59.99. People without insurance can look to local health departments and health centers to see if they offer free or low-cost vaccinations. Sometimes churches, schools and other community hubs host free vaccination events. Your doctor might know of places you can go, too. READ NEXT: Do you need medical care? A community health center could be an option. How to find one
Miami Herald
21-02-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
‘Everybody is getting sick.' Flu is on the rise in Florida — and here's what doctors say
We're feeling it in South Florida. Feeling the fever. The chills. The fatigue. People with flu-like symptoms are pouring into Miami-Dade and Broward urgent care and ERs as infections across the country reach levels not seen in a decade. And for the first time since the start of the pandemic in 2020, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths have outpaced COVID. 'Some years are worse than others and this year is a worse flu season, although it's a better COVID season,' said Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Florida International University. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in its most recent flu report, said the country's influenza activity 'remains elevated and is higher than it has been all season.' The agency is classifying the 2024-2025 flu season as a 'high severity season overall and for all age groups (children, adults, older adults) for the first time since 2017-2018.' 'Everyone is a target. It doesn't matter your age. It doesn't matter where you are in the United States. Nationally, everybody is getting sick,' said Dr. Ladan Pourmasiha, medical director for Baptist Health Urgent Care in Broward County. The virus spread quickly across Krystal Castellano's family of five. Her husband, who 'is like a tank' and never gets sick, woke up last Saturday feeling odd, and their 3-year-old son wasn't as energetic as usual. By the time Castellano returned from a hair appointment, she found her husband and two of their kids sick with fever. It wasn't long before Castellano and 7-year-old Annemarie, their oldest, began to burn up, too. It was time to bring out the Tylenol and Motrin. 'Everybody slept a lot. We were like bears hibernating,' said Castellano, who lives in Palmetto Bay, owns a South Florida digital marketing agency and also runs Casita Rodriguez, a blog about motherhood, fashion, books and travel. Last year, Castellano was the only one in her family to get the flu. She has plenty of company this year. Castellano said several children in her 5-year-old's class have been absent from school because of the flu. She said the school sent an email notifying parents about the rise of flu, asking them to keep sick kids home, and announcing that classroom cleanings would be increased. And influenza isn't the only virus making people sick in South Florida. COVID, RSV and other respiratory illnesses are circulating, too. And the stomach bug is still going around. South Florida's flu forecast Florida has recently seen high levels of flu, with the percent of ER discharges with a flu diagnosis hitting levels not seen in the past four years, state data show. The predominant strain in the state is influenza A H1N1, which caused a global flu pandemic in 2009 and continues to circulate seasonally. The state saw a slight decrease in flu-related ER visits and positive influenza tests during the week of Feb. 9-15, according to the state's most recent flu report. All Florida counties, except Martin on the Treasure Coast, saw a decrease in flu and influenza-like illness during this time period, including Miami-Dade, Broward and the Florida Keys. But the virus is still circulating at high levels compared to the past four years, which means there's a higher chance people will be exposed to the disease for the next several months, Trepka said. And while the flu for some might feel like a fatiguing cold, for others, the illness could send you to the hospital. At Baptist Health urgent care centers, doctors are seeing more influenza compared to COVID, although Pourmasiha says patients for the past few weeks have had milder flu symptoms. Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade's public hospital network, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital near South Miami have also seen an increase in patients sick with the flu compared to COVID and other respiratory illnesses. 'We've been seeing it in our babies. We've been seeing it in our adults. We've been seeing it in our elderly. We've been seeing cases where you have the flu and even seen cases where people are coming back with flu and COVID,' Pourmasiha said. What about the flu vaccine? The good news is that influenza A — the strain predominantly circulating in Miami-Dade and the rest of Florida — is one of three targeted by the 2024-2025 flu vaccine. The shot is trivalent, which means it was designed to help protect against three flu strains — influenza A(H1N1), influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria virus. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get the single-shot flu vaccine annually, especially those who are considered to be higher risk for severe complications. This includes adults 65 and older, children younger than 2, and people who are pregnant, are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions including asthma, heart disease and chronic lung disease. 'The flu vaccine doesn't always protect you from getting an infection but if you do get the infection it does assist in preventing the severity of that infection,' said Dr. Marcos Mestre, chief medical officer for Nicklaus Children's Hospital. And it's not too late to get the shot, health experts say. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for some protection against the flu virus. While people can get sick with influenza year-round, Florida's flu season typically runs from October to May. 'Given the level of flu activity right now, I believe we're going to have at least a couple more months when it's going to be around, and that means that you will absolutely have a benefit if you decide to get vaccinated today,' said Trepka, the FIU epidemiologist. The CDC estimates that there has been at least 29 million illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths from flu so far this season. What about COVID, flu, RSV and other illnesses? Besides influenza, doctors are also seeing people sick with other illnesses, including COVID, RSV, walking pneumonia and even the stomach bug. That's not unusual — it is cold and flu season, after all. But South Florida's sick season is different from the rest of the country. In South Florida, respiratory viruses tend to circulate year-round, according to Mestre. Here's an overview of some of the other circulating illnesses: COVID The main COVID strain circulating in the country is XEC, which is estimated to be responsible for about 37% of COVID infections in the country, according to the most recent CDC data. XEC is a descendent of omicron and is considered a hybrid between two pre-existing COVID subvariants, according to Yale Medicine. This 'merger' happens when one person is infected with two different COVID strains, although it doesn't appear that XEC causes different symptoms or more severe disease compared to other strains, Yale says. Jackson Health, Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children's haven't seen much COVID recently. Nationally, COVID-related ER visits are low even though federal health officials have detected high levels of the disease in wastewater, which means the disease is circulating at high levels across Florida and other parts of the country. Just like with the flu shot, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, especially those who are at least 65, have never received a COVID shot, are pregnant or are considered to be high risk for severe disease. RSV Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms such as coughing and fever. While most RSV infections are mild, some babies, young children and older adults can get severely ill, particularly those born prematurely, have weak immune systems or a medical condition such as asthma and chronic lung disease. Florida's RSV season usually lasts longer than the rest of the country and varies by region, although in South Florida, the virus tends to circulate year-round. Currently, the entire state is in RSV season. The CDC says that while RSV remains elevated, it's declining in most areas of the country. In Florida, RSV-related ER visits are declining and there are low levels of RSV in the state's wastewater. How much RSV is circulating in Florida varies by county. While some parts of Florida saw an increase in RSV the week of Feb. 9-15, other parts of the state, including Monroe and Palm Beach counties saw a decrease during the same time period, according to Florida's most recent RSV report. Miami-Dade and Broward counties didn't see a change, though doctors told the Miami Herald they aren't seeing much of this illness circulating. Overall, Florida's RSV admissions, test positivity and ER visits decreased the week of Feb. 9-Feb. 15, state data show. RSV vaccines are available for people who are pregnant or are at least 60. Unlike flu and COVID vaccines, it's not an annual shot but a one-time date with the needle. RSV monoclonal antibodies also exist for babies and young children. The CDC recommends vaccination for everyone 75 and older, the group at highest risk for contracting RSV, as well as for people who are at least 60 and have chronic medical conditions that make them more at risk for severe illness. Walking pneumonia South Florida is still seeing some cases of the common and contagious bacteria that led to last year's surge of 'walking pneumonia,' which primarily sickened younger children, doctors say. The bacteria generally causes a mild respiratory illness, although it can sometimes worsen into pneumonia. If it does, it usually tends to be a less severe form of bacterial pneumonia known as 'walking pneumonia,' according to the CDC. Walking pneumonia can feel like a bad cold or a bad flu. And anyone can get it, regardless of age, although infections are most common among children ages 5 to 17 and young adults, according to the CDC. 'Most will recover without medicine, but some people need antibiotics to get better,' the CDC says. 'It's an infection that can be treated and with a good response,' Mestre, the Nicklaus Children's doctor, told the Herald in November. 'So that's why I always tell folks not to panic about it. That being said, always take the preventative measures that are possible. Again, going back to the basics, washing your hands, being courteous of others, not being around others when you're sick, and that should limit the spread of the illness.' Whooping cough Mestre says Nicklaus is seeing cases of pertussis popping up in South Florida. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a very contagious and common respiratory illness caused by a bacteria. The country usually reports more than 10,000 cases a year, though infections dipped during the COVID pandemic. Last year, the country reported more cases in 2024 of pertussis compared to 2019, prior to the pandemic, indicating that things are starting to return to pre-pandemic patterns, according to the CDC. Whooping cough feels like a cold, but the coughing can last for weeks or months, according to the CDC. The diphtheria vaccine, which the CDC recommends for everyone, helps protect against tetanus and whooping cough and is one of the vaccines kids need to get in order to attend school in Florida. Norovirus Respiratory illnesses are not the only thing going around. A virus known as the stomach bug surged across parts of the country last year and is still sending people to the toilet. Recently, more than 100 people on board a cruise ship that sailed out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale fell sick with norovirus. Norovirus is commonly referred to as the stomach flu, stomach bug or as the 'cruise ship virus' because it's often the cause of most diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships. Florida recorded two confirmed norovirus outbreaks between Sept. 1, 2024 and Jan. 31, 2025. People can get sick year-round with norovirus, but outbreaks are most common from November to April, the CDC shows. Most people recover within a few days. While its sometimes known as the 'stomach flu,' the virus is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza. And unlike the flu, there is no vaccine to help prevent it. You can get norovirus in a variety of ways, such as by eating or drinking contaminated food and drinks, touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth or having direct contact with someone ill from the virus, according to the CDC. READ NEXT: Did you get the stomach bug on your cruise? A look at cruise ship outbreaks in 2024 How to avoid getting sick Because all respiratory infections tend to cause similar symptoms, unless you get tested, there's no way to know whether you have a mycoplasma infection or if you're sick with the flu, COVID, RSV, or the common cold. Dr. Hany Atallah, chief medical officer for Jackson Memorial Hospital, has tips to help reduce your risk of infection: Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Avoid people who are sick. Use a tissue to cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze. Get vaccinated. Consider masking up if you're planning to go somewhere crowded or travel on a plane. And take advantage of South Florida's warmer weather and plan gatherings and activities outside. 'It's 80 degrees outside, the weather is beautiful. People down here tend to congregate outside more than inside, which is obviously one of the things that helps prevent spread of illness,' Atallah said. If you do get sick, stay home from school or work, monitor symptoms and speak with your doctor. People considered to be high risk for flu-related complications, for example, could be prescribed flu antiviral drugs, which typically work best when started within one or two days after symptoms begin. Castellano, the mom of three who recently had the flu, also has some advice: 'Take the time to rest,' she said. 'Sometimes there's things in life that force us to hit the pause button.'
