TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is investigating a measles case in an adult male with international travel to South America.
DOH officials say healthcare providers have been asked to have a heightened awareness and report cases to DOH-Hillsborough.
Measles is a severe and highly contagious viral disease, officials say. It's spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Rash
- Cough
Symptoms generally begin seven to 14 days after a person is exposed, but can take up to 21 days to show. Anyone with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
It's generally a childhood disease but can be contracted at any age.
"Generally, preschool children, adolescents, young adults and inadequately immunized individuals make up most of the measles cases in the United States," health officials say.
There is no specific treatment for the measles, health officials say. The best way to protect yourself and your family is by immunization. It's unclear if the adult male in this case was vaccinated.
"In Florida, children should be immunized against measles with the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) and should receive two doses, with the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at four to six years of age," DOH-Hillsborough says. "Adults should be vaccinated with at least one dose of MMR vaccine, with a second dose recommended for those at higher risk such as international travelers and health care workers. People with underlying health conditions should discuss with their healthcare provider to determine the need for additional booster doses."
Vaccines are free to babies, children and teens up to the age 18. Adults can pay $91 for the vaccine at the DOH-Hillsborough immunization clinic, which is located at 8605 N. Mitchell Ave in Tampa, and accepts walk-in's weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The fee varies by county, so contact your health department for more:
- Citrus - (352) 527-0068
- Hardee - (863) 773-4161
- Hernando - (353) 540-6800
- Highlands - (863) 386-6040
- Hillsborough - (813) 307-8000
- Manatee - (941) 748-0747
- Pasco - (727) 619-0300
- Pinellas - (727) 824-6900
- Polk - (863) 519-7900
- Sarasota - (941) 861-2900
For more on measles, click here.
