Measles infection confirmed in Manatee County, among 2 cases in Tampa Bay area

Florida health officials have reported a case of measles in Manatee County for the first time in over 20 years.

According to the Florida Department of Health, there have been two confirmed cases of measles in the Tampa Bay area this year and seven statewide. Manatee and Hillsborough counties have each confirmed one case of the potentially fatal disease, both in individuals aged 20 to 24.

In Hillsborough County, the individual acquired measles within Florida, whereas in Manatee County, the individual acquired the disease outside the U.S., according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).

This case is the first in Manatee County since 2002, according to health department data.

A single case was recorded this month in St. Johns County and four more were recorded in Duval County, FDOH records show.

Reached by the Bradenton Herald, local FDOH officials declined to comment on the Manatee County case.

What causes measles?

The disease is caused by a highly contagious virus, and it is transmitted through the air when the infected person coughs, sneezes or even breathes.

“Measles can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area,” the Florida health department’s website says.

What are measles symptoms?

Symptoms appear a week or two after one becomes infected, and they include high fevers, a cough, a runny nose and red, watery eyes, according to the health department.

The most common measles symptom is a rash that appears three to five days after symptoms begin, according to the health department.

What are health impacts from measles?

“Some people with measles develop complications like ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, or inflammation of the brain itself, encephalitis, which can cause brain damage,” according to Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center. “Severe measles can lead to hospitalization and even death.”

In 2025, 11% of measles cases nationwide resulted in hospitalization, according to the CDC, and three were fatal.

Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, the disease used to infect more than 3 million people a year, according to the CDC.

“Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. This meant the absence of the continuous spread of disease was greater than 12 months,” the CDC’s website says. “This was thanks to a highly effective vaccination program in the United States, as well as better measles control in the Americas region.”

How to prevent and report measles

Individuals who have received the full series of the measles, mumps and rubella immunization are 98% protected from contracting measles, according to the health department.

“Having a high percentage of people fully vaccinated against measles is the best way to prevent outbreaks, and is also the best way to protect people who cannot get measles vaccines, such as babies or people with cancer,” according to Johns Hopkins University.

If one suspects they have contracted measles, the health department advises them to contact their medical care provider in advance due to the extremely contagious nature of the virus. That way, medical professionals can determine how to safely treat the patient.

This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 10:58 AM.