Measles

The University of Florida said Thursday it was investigating two college classrooms where measles exposures may have occurred. Additionally, six other confirmed measles cases were reported across northern Florida in new data published by the Florida Department of Health.

Official state health department statistics confirmed, as of Jan. 31, there were 15 cases of measles statewide, with four in Collier and Duval counties, and one in Alachua, Broward, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade and St. Johns counties.

A measles outbreak in Collier County has reached 12 (updated: 20) confirmed cases. All those afflicted are students at Ave Maria University. This outbreak joins ones already existing and growing in Texas and South Carolina with hundreds of cases. Those outbreaks are a threat to the United States keeping its measles-free status.

As the number of reported measles cases continues to tick upward, medical experts are continuing to inform parents about the importance of vaccines in combating measles.

A measles outbreak in the US calls for a refresher on how to stay healthy, for all ages.

Florida’s controversial surgeon general is drawing criticism for his handling of an elementary school’s measles outbreak, telling parents of unvaccinated children it is their choice whether their students attend class — a contravention of federal guidelines calling for their mandatory exclusion.Dr. Joseph Ladapo, nationally known for his outspoken skepticism toward the COVID-19 vaccine, sent a letter this week to parents at Manatee Bay Elementary School near Fort Lauderdale after six students contracted the highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. Such outbreaks are rare in the United States, though reported cases have spiked from 58 for all of 2023 to 35 already this year.The letter notes that when a school has a measles outbreak, it is “normally recommended” that unvaccinated students who haven’t previously had the disease be kept home for three weeks “because of the high likelihood” they will be infected.

Florida College in Temple Terrace is isolating students who do not have proof of vaccination against the measles after a student was diagnosed with the...

The Florida Department of Health is monitoring 93 people possibly exposed to measles after a Jacksonville-area resident was diagnosed.

On any given day, more than 4,000 people pass through the library at California State University-Los Angeles.

A new study finds four counties in Florida are some of the most vulnerable areas for a measles outbreak in the nation.