Florida lawmakers are urging federal and state health officials to strengthen infectious disease surveillance and improve communication with doctors and the public as concerns grow over emerging health threats.
In an August 17 letter, members of the Florida Legislature called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Florida Department of Health to bolster outbreak reporting, laboratory coordination, clinician guidance and public health preparedness.
The letter was addressed to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
Lawmakers cited what they described as recent lapses in timely and consistent communication surrounding infectious disease threats. They pointed to the resurgence of measles nationwide as an example of why health agencies need to provide information quickly and consistently.
“Florida residents deserve clear, timely, and science-based information before, during, and after infectious disease events,” the lawmakers wrote.
The legislators said Florida’s preparedness efforts should also account for threats beyond measles, including Ebola, hantavirus, zoonotic infections, respiratory viruses and other emerging diseases.
They are asking federal and state health officials to take three steps: strengthen infectious disease surveillance and public communication, improve coordination among health agencies and medical providers, and provide lawmakers with a comprehensive preparedness briefing in 2027.
The proposed briefing, led by the Florida Department of Health, would review the state’s surveillance capacity, systems for notifying physicians and other clinicians, laboratory readiness and plans for communicating with the public during infectious disease outbreaks.
Lawmakers are also seeking greater coordination among HHS, the CDC, the Florida Department of Health, county health departments, hospitals, doctors, schools and emergency preparedness officials.
The legislators requested that the Florida Department of Health respond by August 31 regarding plans for the proposed 2027 preparedness briefing.
