POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An adult case of measles has been reported in Polk County, the latest case in Florida, which before had not had a reported measles case since 2020.
The Florida Health Department listed one case of an adult aged 20-24 in Polk County with measles over the weekend on Merlin, the state’s reportable disease surveillance system website.
Merlin lists how the person contracted measles as “unknown,” however, an advisory for health care workers released on Friday by the agency said there was a “travel-related case in Central Florida.”
The case in Polk County comes as cases in Broward County increase. The state added another confirmed case of measles on Tuesday for a patient under the age of 14, bringing the total to 9. Many of the cases stem from an outbreak at an elementary school in Weston.
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So far only Broward and Polk counties have reported cases.
The measles cases are the first reported in Florida since 2020, when one case was reported in Hillsborough County, according to Florida Department of Health data.
The health department says medical workers are required to report any suspected measles cases immediately to the county health departments.
Measles is very contagious and can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. The measles rash appears three to five days after the initial infection, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Complications from measles can include pneumonia, encephalitis, diarrhea and death.
For those who have a full vaccine course for MMR, the chance of getting measles is very low. The MMR vaccine is 98% effective, according to the state.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required for students to attend public schools in Florida, but parents can get exemptions for religious or medical reasons.
If you need a measles vaccination, you can get it at a pharmacy, visit your county health department, or check with your doctor.
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