Florida was the epicenter of an outbreak of malaria, the first time the tropical disease was contracted in the state in 20 years. Six cases of “locally acquired” malaria were reported in southwest Florida in May and June, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). All six cases were localized in Sarasota County—halfway between…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–A Florida child under the age of 4 has been identified as the first pediatric case of monkeypox in the state, according to The Florida Department of Health. The child tested positive in Martin County on Florida’s Treasure Coast, which has a total of six reported cases, according to the health department’s Reportable Disease…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.—Florida is to get a new program targeted at suppressing the state’s rising death toll associated with fentanyl overdoses. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the statewide initiative at an Aug. 3 news conference in Brevard County in which he said fentanyl “ruins lives” and has infiltrated “other substances” that have led to a number…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–The Florida Inspector General has found “insufficient evidence” to support the claims of a former employee that she was asked to falsify COVID-19 data. In a 27 page report released May 26, the Florida Department of Health Office of Inspector General determined the accusations made by Rebekah Jones, a former Florida Department of Health employee and…

PUNTA GORDA, Florida–Florida has been a state for “firsts” since the pandemic arrived on the scene, and March 7 was no exception, as state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo announced that his office will recommend against the COVID-19 vaccines for “healthy children.” “The Florida Department of Health is going to be the first state to…

Governor Ron DeSantis said one million COVID-19 tests were given an extension by the Food and Drug Administration and will be “sourced out” to health departments and other larger testing sites. The governor said in a press conference Jan. 12 that much of the information about the one million COVID tests has been reported “inaccurately.”…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–The Florida Department of Education on Thursday sanctioned eight Florida school districts for defying the state’s ban on school mask mandates. School districts in Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Beach counties now face financial penalties. Commissioner Richard Corcoran reported to the board that none of the eight counties had…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.—A Florida Department of Health official says he will fine Orange County if a Florida government entity goes through with mandating employees get vaccinated against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. On Sept. 24, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said he received a letter from Doug Woodleaf, a division manager at the Florida…