ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida health officials have confirmed the state’s first measles case of the year, a high school student in Miami-Dade County. The case is renewing concerns about declining vaccination rates, which doctors warn could put more children at risk.
Diana Barros rushed to pick up her son early from Miami Palmetto Senior High School after learning about the confirmed case.
“Even though he has a shot, it’s been over a year, so I don’t know,” Barros said. “I want to verify if he could still be at risk.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that typically starts on the face before spreading. Severe cases can lead to hospitalization or even death.
The case comes as vaccination rates in Florida continue to decline. Some Central Florida counties have seen kindergarten immunization rates fall below the 92% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Brevard County has experienced the sharpest drop, with rates decreasing by 7%.
Dr. Todd Husty, a medical expert, said vaccines remain the best protection against measles.
“So, measles is a virus, highly communicable, it’s really easy to catch,” Husty said. “It spreads like wildfire in people who don’t have immunity. The way to get immunity is either by having had measles or by getting vaccinated.”
While some parents remain hesitant, Husty emphasizes the vaccine’s long-standing safety record.
“I understand the concern over new vaccines,” he said. “But this is not a new vaccine. This is an old vaccine that we know doesn’t do bad things. So, yes, you should be able to make a choice, but don’t make a bad choice.”
Health officials are urging parents to check their children’s vaccination records and ensure they are up to date, as even a single case can lead to wider spread in unvaccinated communities.
