The Florida Department of Health confirmed a second case of measles in an unvaccinated child in St. Lucie County on Friday. This brings the total number of measles cases between St. Lucie and Indian River counties to five.

The Florida Department of Health said in a release that the latest confirmed case in St. Lucie County was locally acquired and was isolated as a precaution. Health officials say that this case poses no additional risk of exposure to the community. 

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 because of the high population immunity achieved by high 2-dose measles vaccine coverage and a highly effective measles vaccine.  Officials say that measles is very rare in countries and regions of the world that are able to keep vaccination coverage high. There are still sporadic cases of measles in the United States because visitors from other countries or U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected before or during travel and spread the infection to unvaccinated or unprotected persons.

“We applaud all who have gotten vaccinated or confirmed their immunity in light of the unfortunate cases of measles in Florida this year”, said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Vaccination remains the best way for Floridians and visitors to protect their children, themselves and their communities from what is ultimately a serious yet preventable illness.”

Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing and is highly contagious. When that person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air. It can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears. A typical case of measles begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat. 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.