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Ave Maria Today
By the People, for the People
Measles Cases Surge in Florida as Vaccination Rates Drop
Conflicting reports on case counts as state grapples with outbreak
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Florida is grappling with a surge in measles cases, with conflicting reports on the exact number of infections. The state's health department reports 15 cases, while a Johns Hopkins dashboard shows 17 confirmed cases, ranking Florida 5th nationally. However, a local clinic in Collier County says at least 20 students at Ave Maria University have confirmed measles, with 14 more cases pending testing. The outbreak highlights a decline in vaccination rates across Florida, which fell to 88.8% for the 2024-2025 school year, below the 95% threshold for herd immunity.
Why it matters
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. The outbreak in Florida raises concerns about public health, especially for vulnerable populations like young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. The discrepancy in case reporting also underscores the challenges in accurately tracking and responding to disease outbreaks.
The details
The Florida Department of Health's latest report lists 15 measles cases, while a Johns Hopkins dashboard shows 17 confirmed cases in the state. However, a local clinic in Collier County reports at least 20 students at Ave Maria University have confirmed measles infections, with 14 more cases awaiting testing. Measles is highly contagious, with up to 9 or 10 unvaccinated people contracting the disease from an infected individual. There is no cure, and complications can be severe, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.
- As of Feb. 5, 2026, 733 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States.
- In 2025, there were 2,276 measles cases and three deaths reported nationwide.
- Florida's vaccination rate for the 2024-2025 school year was 88.8%, below the 95% threshold for herd immunity.
The players
Florida Department of Health
The state agency responsible for tracking and reporting on public health issues, including the measles outbreak.
Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI) at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
An organization that maintains a dashboard tracking confirmed measles cases across the United States, including 17 cases in Florida.
Mater Dei clinic in Collier County
A local health clinic that has reported at least 20 confirmed measles cases among students at Ave Maria University, with 14 more cases pending testing.
Joseph Ladapo
Florida's Surgeon General who has spoken out against mandatory vaccines and vowed to eliminate vaccine requirements for children to attend public school.
What’s next
The Florida Department of Health is expected to update its measles reporting site on Thursday, February 12, which could provide more clarity on the exact number of cases in the state.
The takeaway
The measles outbreak in Florida underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect public health, especially for vulnerable populations. The discrepancies in case reporting highlight the challenges in accurately tracking and responding to disease outbreaks, emphasizing the need for robust public health infrastructure and coordination between state and local authorities.
