Collier County Updates

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  • The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) is providing additional resources to monitor for suspected measles cases and minimize further transmission.
  • DOH-Collier is working closely with Ave Maria University officials to provide resources on campus. This includes pre and post-exposure options.
  • Individuals who may have been exposed, or who are interested in preventive options may contact DOH-Collier. Pre and post-exposure options will be available for all ages, Monday through Friday, at the Naples and Immokalee locations.

Measles (rubeola) is an illness caused by a contagious virus, rubeola. Measles is spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus may remain active in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. 

Measles Fact Sheet

Available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.

Because measles is extremely contagious, if 10 people without immunity are exposed, up to 9 may get sick. It can lead to serious complications like pneumonia or, rarely, brain swelling (encephalitis).

Incubation Period and Symptoms

The incubation period is the time between exposure to a virus and when you start to feel sick. For measles, this is usually 8-14 days after exposure but can be as short as 7 days or as long as 21 days. During this time, you may not have symptoms yet, but the virus could be in your body. It’s important to watch for symptoms for three weeks after exposure.

Symptoms Include: Fever; cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; feeling tired

Approximately 3-5 days after these initial symptoms, a rash appears, starting on the face and spreading downward. Tiny white spots (Koplik’s spots) may also appear inside the mouth.

Measles Contagious Period

  • 4 days before the rash appears
  • Until 4 days after the rash starts

POST-EXPOSURE PROTECTION

If you’ve been exposed to measles, post exposure protection options can prevent illness or make it less severe:

Immune Globulin Treatment

  • Primarily for infants under 12 months, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
  • Must be given within six days of exposure.

MMR Vaccine

  • To provide protection from an exposure, the MMR vaccine must be given within 72 hours.

IF EXPOSED TO MEASLES

  • Contact your healthcare provider or county health department for instructions.
  • Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
  • If symptoms appear, minimize exposure to others and contact your health care provider or county health department to discuss treatment options.
  • Post exposure protection options are available for treatment.
Transmission

Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Those with a prior history of infection or who have received the full series of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) immunization are 98% protected and are unlikely to contract measles.

Symptoms

Measles symptoms appear 7-14 days after contact with the virus and include:

  • High fever up to 105° F
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Cough
  • Runny nose

The most common symptom of measles is a rash that often develops on the face and neck, but can spread to the entire body. Measles rash appears 3-5 days after the first symptoms.

Individuals At-Risk of Severe Illness

Those at increased risk of serious illness are:

  • Pregnant women who catch measles are at risk of premature birth or having a low-birth-weight baby.
  • People with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia and HIV infection, may be especially at risk for measles complications.
  • Children and adults that have underlying health conditions
  • Infants under 12 months
Treatment

Since measles is caused by a virus, there is no specific treatment. Medications can help manage symptoms. However, based on exposure time frame, susceptible contacts may be candidates for post-exposure prophylaxis through MMR or immunoglobulin through their health care provider.

Vitamin A supplementation may be beneficial when administered under the supervision of your health care provider.

Data and Statistics

Florida CHARTS
View data about measles, both statewide and county-specific.

Information for Health Care Providers

Suspected Cases

Use this document for purposes of identification, testing, and management of suspected measles cases.

Disease Reporting Requirement

All practitioners, health care facilities, and laboratories in Florida are required to notify the Florida Department of Health of diseases or conditions of public health significance under section 381.0031, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code.