Health
Florida schools see measles cases grow, urge vaccination for 'public health threat'
A measles outbreak in Florida has health officials urging vaccinations.
On Tuesday, Florida Department of Health Officials confirmed another measles case in Broward County, bringing the total number of cases in that county to nine. Of them, seven cases were from Manatee Bay Elementary in Weston, WSVN-TV reports.
“As of now, all confirmed cases for Broward County Public Schools are specific to Manatee Bay Elementary with no other district schools impacted,” Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Peter Licata said during a press conference.
AMID FLORIDA MEASLES OUTBREAK, SURGEON GENERAL LETS PARENTS DECIDE WHETHER TO SEND UNVACCINATED KIDS TO SCHOOL
One measles case has also been reported in Polk County.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz held her own press conference Tuesday, when she called on Gov. Ron. DeSantis to fire the state’s Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo after he issued a letter to parents Friday deferring them “to make decisions about school attendance” amid the outbreak.
A photo illustration shows the skin of a patient afflicted with measles. (iStock)
“I want to make clear today that our state leaders our failing us on this front,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Measles is a public health threat to Florida and so is Joe Ladapo.”
Typical guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is for unvaccinated children who have not had the measles to stay home for up to 21 days in the event of a potential exposure at school.
FLORIDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CONFIRMS 6TH CASE OF MEASLES AMID OUTBREAK
“However, due to the high immunity rate in the community, as well as the burden on families and educational cost of healthy children missing school, DOH is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance,” Ladapo’s letter stated.
A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. (iStock)
Deferring to parents of unvaccinated children is sparking criticism from doctors in Florida and around the country, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Rana Alissa, the academy’s Florida vice president, said on Friday that the state should follow the CDC guidelines “for the safety of our kids.”
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Allowing unvaccinated children to attend during the outbreak not only endangers them, but others who might have compromised immune systems and could later catch it from them, she said, according to The Associated Press.
“When you have an outbreak, to contain it you have to follow the public health and safety recommendations, not give people a choice,” she said. “Frankly, giving people a choice is what got us here.”
Amid measles outbreaks in various parts of the U.S., Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has issued guidance to parents regarding kids’ school attendance. He also said, “This recommendation may change as epidemiological investigations continue.” (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images)
People who have had the full series of the measles, mumps and rubella immunization or who have had a prior infection are 98% protected against the highly contagious virus, the doctor noted.
Those who do not have immunity have a 90% chance of contracting measles.
About 30% of students at Manatee Bay Elementary are unvaccinated, according to WSVN.
The school district is urging all unvaccinated students to get the measles vaccine, the media outlet reports, adding that 82 students were absent from school on Tuesday.
Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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More than half of people over 50 have experienced hemorrhoids, according to the National Institutes of Health and other medical sources.
To help patients and providers navigate this common issue, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recently released updated clinical practice guidelines in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The update focuses on a simple approach, emphasizing lifestyle modifications over quick-fix products.
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Hemorrhoids are swollen, enlarged veins that develop both internally and externally. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they can range from a minor annoyance to a source of significant pain and rectal bleeding.
Experts estimate that one in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids that irritate them. They become more common with age.
They are also particularly common during pregnancy due to increased pelvic pressure, though these cases can usually be managed with conservative symptom care.
The guidelines warn against the overuse of topical steroids. While they can reduce inflammation, using them for more than two weeks can cause irritation. (iStock)
One takeaway from the AGA update is that a promising treatment for hemorrhoids is often found in the pantry rather than the pharmacy. The experts labeled increased fiber intake as a “reasonable first-line therapy.”
By softening the stool and increasing its bulk, fiber reduces the need for straining, a culprit behind hemorrhoid flare-ups.
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Most Americans are nowhere near the recommended daily fiber intake.
The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend 22 to 28 grams for women and 28 to 45 grams for men, but data suggest that 90% of women and 97% of men fall short.
Experts labeled increased fiber intake as a “reasonable first-line therapy” against hemorrhoids, but current data shows many Americans aren’t getting enough. (iStock)
The AGA highlighted that restroom habits are also a contributing factor.
In an era where many people take their smartphones into the bathroom, prolonged sitting and straining can lead to increased pressure. The updated guidelines recommend avoiding long sessions that exacerbate symptoms.
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People may reach for sitz baths or topical creams at the first sign of discomfort, but the AGA says there is limited data to support their long-term effectiveness.
Because rectal bleeding can sometimes be a symptom of more serious conditions, a physical exam is recommended before beginning any treatment plan. (iStock)
The guidelines also warn against the overuse of topical steroids. While they can reduce inflammation, using them for more than two weeks can cause the skin to thin and become more irritated.
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While lifestyle changes are important, the AGA emphasizes that a proper diagnosis is vital. Because rectal bleeding can sometimes be a symptom of more serious conditions, a physical exam is recommended before beginning any treatment plan.
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For persistent or severe cases, patients may need office-based procedures or surgical intervention.
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