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Health authorities in Florida have confirmed the detection of three cases of measles so far in 2026, raising health alerts in the state due to the resurgence of one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
Infections were reported in Hillsborough, Manatee, and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Department of Health's Mandatory Disease Reporting Frequency Report, last updated on January 17.
In an official statement quoted by , the Department of Health indicated that it cannot provide details about ongoing epidemiological investigations or the affected patients, as this information is confidential.
However, he clarified that whenever a contagious disease is detected in a county, an investigation is immediately activated to identify contacts, prevent the spread, and protect public health.
"If a person shows symptoms of measles, they should contact their healthcare provider or the local health department for instructions on how to seek care safely," the institution stated.
Young adults among the confirmed cases
According to the state report, the cases in Hillsborough and Manatee involve individuals aged 20 to 24, while the infection in St. Johns occurred in a person aged 25 to 29. Two were infected in Florida, and one originated outside the United States.
In 2025, the state reported seven cases of measles in the counties of Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, and Okaloosa, indicating a trend that worries health authorities.
One of the infected was a student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, located in Pinecrest, Miami-Dade.
The school principal informed families about the infection and recommended that parents notify them if their children showed symptoms. A contact tracing was also conducted to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
One of the most contagious infections in the world
Measles is considered one of the most contagious respiratory diseases known. It spreads through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs.
The initial symptoms include high fever, cough, nasal congestion, and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash on the skin that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, if a person with measles comes into contact with an unvaccinated group, there is a 90% chance that they will become infected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that Florida is below the threshold necessary for herd immunity.
In the 2023-2024 school year, only 88.1% of kindergarten children were vaccinated against measles, while the required level to prevent outbreaks is 95%.
National situation: over 400 cases in the U.S.
As of January 22, the CDC reported 416 confirmed cases of measles in the United States. 94% of the infections in 2026 occurred in unvaccinated individuals, and 61% affected minors and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19.
The states with cases include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The largest outbreak in the country remains active in South Carolina, particularly in Spartanburg County, an area with a low vaccination rate.
Last year, from January to July, the country reported 1,277 cases of measles, the highest number since 2000, when the disease was declared eradicated.
Pharmacies offer the vaccine in response to the increase in cases
In light of the rise in infections, several pharmacy chains in Florida have begun to make access to the measles vaccine more available.
According to Jacksonville.com, the places where you can receive the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) are: CVS and MinuteClinic, Walgreens, and Walmart.
Experts recommend two doses of the vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years.
A person is considered immune if they have received two doses or were born before 1957.
University students, international travelers, and healthcare personnel may be eligible for booster doses.
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