Health officials warn of another measles case

Total cases of measles between Indian River, St. Lucie counties rises to 4

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health said it has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated adolescent in Indian River County.

The child has since recovered, health officials said. This brings the total cases of measles between Indian River and St. Lucie counties to four.

Measles is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus of the same name. FDOH officials said the disease is highly contagious and can spread to others who are unvaccinated.

"Vaccination continues to be the best prevention against measles," said Dr. John Armstrong, state surgeon general and secretary of health. "Vaccination remains so important for children, adults and families across our state to protect themselves and their communities from this serious and preventable infection."

Phillip Allison said the vaccination debate was something he and his wife took to heart.

"It was a big concern for us," he said. "All of the things that can happen in the first couple of months, especially with this many doctors appointments that you have to have."

But he said in the end getting his son vaccinated was an easy decision.

"We are not trying to be hip parents; we're trying to be good parents," Allison said.

Allison said he had seen the claims that the measles vaccine could lead to autism. He was glad to see new research show no link between the two. He said he has a daughter due in June and will make sure she gets all of her vaccinations, just like his son did.

"We did a lot of research, looked at the science behind everything and came to the conclusion that the best thing we could do for our family and for other families' children would be to vaccinate," Allison said.

The Department of Health said it is working with community health care partners and encourages all residents and visitors who have not been immunized to get vaccinated immediately.

Vaccinations are available year-round through health departments in Florida's 67 counties or at local doctors' offices, officials said.

FDOH said people who are particularly susceptible are pregnant women, infants under the age of 12 months and people whose immune systems are compromised.

Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing, and is highly contagious. Health officials said when a person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air.

"It's a preventable disease," said Dr. Shalaka Ghate of Memorial Family Practice. "I would say that it is definitely easier to get your kids vaccinated and prevent the disease then putting them at risk of severe infections."

The virus can live for up to two hours on surfaces or in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed. It can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears, officials said.

A typical case of measles begins with flu-like symptoms. The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles and include the following:

  • Blotchy rash
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Feeling run down, achy (malaise)
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik's spots)

People who develop these symptoms should contact their health care provider right away, health officials said.

Measles is very rare in countries and regions of the world that are able to keep vaccination coverage high. FDOH said there are still sporadic cases of measles in the U.S. because unvaccinated visitors from other countries or unvaccinated U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected and spread measles to unvaccinated or unprotected people.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, 162 cases of measles have been reported in 19 states this year, as of April 17.

Ghate said she expects more people who are not vaccinated to get the shot now that cases are so close to Northeast Florida.

"I think it's a good thing about a patient being more aware. All of us need to be immune to this disease," Ghate said.

She said that adults who have never been vaccinated have come in for measles vaccines since the Florida outbreak.

Children should be immunized against measles with the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, according to FDOH. Children should receive two doses, with the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at four to six years of age, officials said.

When vaccinating adolescents and adults, two doses of MMR may be required. People with underlying health conditions should discuss additional booster doses with their health care provider to determine need, FDOH said.