JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Days after Baptist Health confirmed two pediatric measles cases in Jacksonville, News4JAX received confirmation from the St. Johns County health department that one case had been recorded in that county.
According to the Florida Department of Health’s website, the St. Johns County case was reported in January in a patient between the ages of 25 and 29.
Recommended Videos
The database shows the patient contracted measles in Florida.
The exact time and location of the case could not be confirmed, a St. Johns County health department spokesperson said.
News4JAX has been trying to get answers from the state Department of Health about the two pediatric cases confirmed by Baptist Health.
The department supplied the following statement:
The Florida Department of Health cannot comment on ongoing epidemiological investigations and details about specific cases and individuals is confidential. Information gathered by the Department during epidemiological investigations and through reports submitted to the Department by third parties is confidential pursuant to Section 381.0031(6), Florida Statutes. This information is confidential and exempt from the provisions of Section 119.07, F.S.
When a communicable disease is reported in the county, the Department immediately initiates an epidemiological investigation to protect the public’s health. If an individual is experiencing symptoms of measles, they should contact their health care provider or local county health department to receive instructions on how to safely seek medical attention.
According to a press release from Baptist Health, the two children, who live in the same household, sought emergency care at Baptist Health’s main campus on Jan. 16.
Hospital officials said both children received appropriate treatment for measles and were sent home without needing hospital admission.
Baptist Health shared this statement:
“Baptist Health remains deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our patients and team members. We have shared the names of anyone who may have been exposed with the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH will contact those individuals directly.
We want to assure you that the risk of infection from exposure within our facility is very low, because our team of pediatric Emergency Center specialists is expertly prepared and ready to care for these children and our community.”
Based on the Florida Department of Health’s reporting database for measles, only one case of measles was reported in 2025 in News4JAX’s 11-county Northeast Florida coverage area.
That was a case reported in a patient between 20-24 years old in August 2025. The database said that the patient caught the case of measles is unknown.
Measles is an airborne infection that can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, including high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Then, a rash of tiny red spots appears. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
The Florida Department of Health in Duval County said it cannot comment on the specifics of an ongoing epidemiological investigation, but shared the following with News4JAX:
When a communicable disease is reported in the county, DOH-Duval immediately initiates an epidemiological investigation to protect the public’s health.
If an individual is experiencing symptoms of measles, they are advised to not abruptly visit a health care provider without contacting them ahead of time. Instead, they should contact their health care provider or local county health department to receive instructions on how to safely seek medical attention without exposing others.
Florida Department of Health in Duval County
Dr. Shalika Katugaha, system medical director of infectious diseases at Baptist Medical, explained that measles symptoms can be more severe in children.
“Children younger than 5 years are at the highest risk for complications and death. So children do experience it more severely than adults,” Katugaha said.
Infants younger than 12 months face significantly higher risks for severe complications.
Katugaha explained why this is the case.
“The mom’s antibodies wane in these children, and they are ineligible for routine vaccines before 9 to 12 months of age,” she said.
Measles is highly contagious and can be contracted by other family members, including children and adults.
To help protect families, the local Department of Health is offering immunizations.
DOH-Duval will hold a “Pop-Up” Immunization Clinic on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Regency Library, 9300 Regency Square Boulevard. Vaccines available include MMR, influenza, and hepatitis A.
Immunizations are also available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at these locations:
- 515 W. 6th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206
- 3225 University Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Walk-ins are welcome, or appointments can be made by calling 904-253-1130.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine: the first at 12–15 months of age and the second at 4–6 years.
For infants aged 6–11 months who will be traveling internationally, the CDC recommends one MMR dose before departure, followed by two additional doses after the child’s first birthday (according to the routine schedule).