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The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) confirmed on February 19, 2024, that it is investigating multiple cases of measles at the Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida, located just north of Miami.
A CBS News Miami article reported a 5th measles case has been confirmed at this elementary school, which has an enrollment of about 1,100 students.
According to the Manatee Bay school district, about 11% of these students are not fully vaccinated against measles.
In its press release, DOH-Broward has notified local healthcare providers, stating that those who have received the entire series of MMR vaccines are 98% protected against this airborne virus.
Measles vaccines are generally offered at health clinics and pharmacies in Florida.
During the measles outbreak of 2024, various states along the I-95 highway reported cases. Based on local news reporting, add Southeaster Florida to this expanding list.
As of February 18, 2024, Broward County health officials have confirmed four measles cases at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, Florida.
News7 Miami reported John J. Sullivan, Chief Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer, Broward County Public Schools, wrote in an email, "The health, safety, and welfare of our students and staff remain our utmost priority. The District continues to work closely with the Florida Department of Health – Broward following three additional confirmed measles cases at Manatee Bay Elementary School."
As of last week, the U.S. CDC reported 20 measles cases in eleven jurisdictions. These measles cases were reported in Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia.
Globally, the CDC says 47 countries have reported measles outbreaks during the past year.
The virus is transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets, mainly related to unvaccinated international travelers.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccines are offered throughout the U.S. at health clinics and pharmacies.
Note: This news article was updated to reflect CBS News Miami reporting on Feb. 20, 2024, a 5th measles case has been confirmed at Manatee Bay Elementary School.
Malaria affects millions of lives annually, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, according to a Perspective published by the Malaria Journal.
Despite being largely preventable, malaria outbreaks caused 247 million infections and over 600,000 deaths across 85 countries in 2021,
In the ongoing battle against malaria outbreaks, a promising development has emerged with the endorsement by the World Health Organization of the R21/Matrix-M™ Malaria Vaccine.
Developed through a collaboration between the University of Oxford and Novavax Inc., this vaccine has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, reaching 77% effectiveness in Phase 2 clinical trials.
R21 is designed to be low-dose, cost-effective, and accessible, with approval for use in children under three years old.
Published on January 12, 2024, this paper critically examines the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, its development, potential impact on global malaria eradication efforts, and the challenges and opportunities it presents.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 2,000 malaria cases are diagnosed in the United States annually, mostly in travelers returning to cities such as Miami, Florida.
As of January 27, 2024, malaria vaccines are unavailable in the U.S.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today published a COCA Now email alert confirming that in most of the continental United States, the ABRYSVO™ respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine should be given to pregnant women from September through January 31, regardless of year-to-year circulation, when infants would be born during increased RSV activity,
As of late January 2024, numerous indicators show RSV infection decreasing in the U.S.
Jurisdictions that have different RSV seasonality from most of the continental United States, such as Alaska, southern Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, may consider RSV vaccination of pregnant women after January 31.
The CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend the RSV vaccination during 32–36 weeks gestation.
The CDC recently reported among women who were pregnant and ≥32 weeks gestation since September 22, 2023, the overall coverage with the RSV vaccine was 14.4% as of January 13, 2024.
Infants born to unvaccinated mothers should receive Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab). This single-dose, long-acting monoclonal antibody provides immediate, passive immunity protection to the infant against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.
As of 2024, Beyfortus availability has increased in the U.S.
COCA Now emails will be sent as soon as possible after the CDC publishes new content, ensuring clinicians are updated.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first known case of Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) in more than two decades in Argentina.
Since then, and until January 9, 2024, 21 human cases in Argentina have been confirmed by the WHO/PAHO.
To alert international travelers to this WEE health risk, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Notice on January 12, 2024.
WEE is a rare, mosquito-borne viral disease that affects equines and humans. Most human cases are associated with epidemics in birds or horses.
The CDC says travelers to these regions of Argentina should avoid mosquito bites, which can transmit the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV).
EEEV transmission is most common in and around freshwater hardwood swamps in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states and the Great Lakes region in the U.S.
Only about 4-5% of human EEEV infections result in EEE.
In the United States, an average of 11 human cases of EEE are reported annually, according to the CDC. There were 7 EEEV neuroinvasive disease cases in 2023, reported by four states.
From 2012-2021, most cases of EEE have been reported from Massachusetts, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
As of 2024, the CDC says no vaccine prevents EEE virus infection.
However, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases developed a human vaccine for EEE in the mid-1980s, but it has never been approved for public use.
The U.S. government recently invested in a vaccine against western, eastern, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses.
MVA-BN® WEV has completed Phase 1 clinical development demonstrating potential for broad, and long-term protection, with a Phase 2 study planned for 2024.
