Florida Surgeon General under fire for handling of measles outbreak
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has called for the replacement of Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, over his controversial handling of a measles outbreak in Broward County. The outbreak has led to nine confirmed cases of measles in the county, with the majority of cases linked to Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston.
Surgeon General Ladapo drew criticism for allowing unvaccinated children to attend classes at the school, going against federal guidelines. Wasserman Schultz went so far as to label Ladapo as a “misinformation super-spreader” for his actions.
In response to the outbreak, 216 students were absent from school on Monday, a higher number than usual. Broward County Public Schools Superintendent noted that 92% of students at Manatee Bay are vaccinated, underscoring the importance of herd immunity in preventing the spread of measles.
At a press conference addressing the outbreak, experts emphasized the need for school safety measures to contain the outbreak. An epidemiologist and Broward County Council of PTA Legislative Director spoke in support of such measures, highlighting the importance of following vaccination guidelines to prevent further cases.
The calls for Ladapo’s replacement come amidst growing concerns over the handling of public health crises in Florida. As the measles outbreak continues to spread, the focus remains on implementing measures to protect the community and prevent further cases.
