Florida reported another measles case on Friday, bringing the state’s total to 11 cases this year amid a worldwide uptick in a highly infectious disease once thought to be eliminated in the U.S.
The case was identified in South Florida’s Martin County, in an individual age 55-59. It was linked to travel outside of the country, according to data from the state health department’s web-based reportable disease surveillance system.
“A travel-related case of a communicable disease is not abnormal and should be distinguished with appropriate context. … We recommend that the Orlando Sentinel stops attempting to be armchair epidemiologists,” Grant Kemp, Florida Department of Health spokesman, said in an emailed response to questions about the case.