PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is investigating a measles case involving a 72-year-old man who traveled to Asia recently. This is the second case of measles confirmed in the state of Florida.
Health officials say anyone older than 12 months of age should receive the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine for protection.
Click here to get the latest measles report from the Florida Department of Health.
Vaccines are provided at no cost at DOH-Pinellas clinics to babies, children and teens through the age of 18. MMR II vaccines for adults are provided for a cost of around eighty-dollars at these locations:
- St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
- Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N.
- Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Rd.
- Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave.
- Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave.
- Sarasota: 2200 Ringling Blvd.
- 1105 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa
- 410 6th Ave E, Bradenton
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says: "Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing and is highly contagious. The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Anyone who has these symptoms should contact his or her healthcare provider. There is no specific treatment for measles."
According to the Health Department, the best way to protect yourself is by immunization.
"It’s very contagious its one of the most contagious viruses, the key is to get the vaccination,” said Sarasota Department of Health representative Michael Drennon.
