Measles continues to spread in the U.S with researchers indicating that individual Florida counties demonstrate high risk. In the previous week, health officials recorded 75 more cases of measles in the U.S, which brought the total to 839 in the year 2019 ( Krischer, 2019). The newly recorded cases edge the country closer to the 963 incidences recorded in 1994 that was the highest number of cases reported in the previous 25 years. In Florida, Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough and Orange counties ranked among the top 25 counties nationwide with an increased likelihood of experiencing a serious outbreak.
Measles results from a single-stranded, enclosed RNA virus consisting of 1 serotype classified under the genus Morbillivirus in the larger Paramyxoviridae family. Human stand as the only natural hosts identified of measles virus. Environmental factors such as lack of safe water and unsafe food facilitate the spread of measles ( Krischer, 2019). Sanitation facilities also determine the spread of measles in that poor sanitation enhances the spread of the disease. In the counties of Florida, unsafe water accounted for the quick spread of the disease.
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The local counties were inadequately prepared to handle the contagious disease, which explains why the spread was so rampant within a short time. The health authorities also focused on treatment rather than preventive measures. The measles vaccine is available, but immunization efforts in the counties of Florida identified as high risk had not been initiated. Measles vaccination could have helped contain the disease in time and prevent the last minute panic that was witnessed ( Krischer, 2019). Health officials in Florida need to equip every health facility with measles vaccination and roll out annual vaccination programs that will encourage parents or guardians to ensure their children have received the measles vaccination. Most importantly, health officials must work together during an outbreak to help contain the situation and save more lives.
References
Krischer, C. (2019). Measles cases continue to soar; Florida counties are at high risk. Sunsentinel . Retrieved from https://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-ne-measles-spread-florida-at-risk-20190513-5rlqymjo3bhffmhgf7srk23bem-story.html
