Measles cases are on the rise in the U.S., with more than 60 cases reported in Florida, according to the CDC’s most recent data.
In 2025, the U.S. saw its largest measles outbreak in six years, with 2,280 cases reported and the first measles-related deaths in a decade. And 2026 is off to a similar start, with more than 900 cases reported. Most of Florida’s February measles cases are tied to an outbreak at a university near Naples, Florida.
Here’s what we know about the latest reports of measles in Florida, how contagious the disease is and the most common measles symptoms.
Is there a measles outbreak in Florida?
The most recent CDC data on measles outbreaks, updated on Feb. 13, reported 910 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. in 2026, which is related to an ongoing outbreak from December 2025.
Florida was listed among the 24 states that reported measles outbreaks. There were three measles-related deaths reported in 2025 and none reported so far in 2026, according to the CDC’s measles tracking dashboard.
The latest CDC data, reported on Feb. 12, shows 63 cases in Florida. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
A majority of Florida’s cases are related to an early-February outbreak at Ave Maria University near Naples, where more than 50 cases were reported within the first two weeks of February.
Can you be around someone with measles and not get it?
Measles is highly contagious and can be easily contracted if you get close to someone who’s been infected, especially if you are unvaccinated.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.”
How does measles spread? Who is most at-risk for measles complications?
According to the CDC, measles is so contagious that you could contract it just by being in a room where a measles-infected person had been up to two hours earlier.
“Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes,” the CDC says. “You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to two hours after that person has left.”
According to the CDC, here’s who’s most at-risk to suffer from measles complications:
What are the 5 main symptoms of measles?
Measles is most often associated with a rash and fever, but the CDC says it “isn’t just a little rash” and can lead to dangerous complications, especially in children and babies.
The five main symptoms of the measles are fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, tiny white spots in the mouth and a red rash that usually starts on the face and hairline.
Here’s the CDC’s timeline for measles symptoms:
Ear infections and diarrhea are the most common complications among those infected with measles. Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles, and diarrhea is reported in less than one out of every 10 people with measles, according to the CDC.
What is the fastest treatment for measles?
The best treatment for measles is prevention through vaccination, since there’s no FDA-approved treatment for the disease once a person has contracted it.
“There is no specific antiviral therapy that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for treatment of measles,” the CDC says.
“Medical care is generally supportive and helps to relieve symptoms. Complications such as pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections should be promptly managed under the supervision of a healthcare provider.”
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Is there a measles outbreak in Florida? What to know about latest data
Reporting by Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
