Health Officials: International Traveler Had Measles While In South Florida
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Florida Department of Health has confirmed that an international traveler, who attended a conference in Central Florida and spent time in South Florida, had the measles.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed measles in the adult who was at a conference in Kissimmee, Florida at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center March 16-17.
The traveler, the FDOH said, did not visit any theme parks, but did spend time in Miami-Dade, Orange County and Sarasota during the infectious period of March 14-20.
The traveler was hospitalized between March 20-24 in Miami and after recovery left Florida by plane on the 25th.
The department continues to work closely with health care professional and organizations in an effort to maintain its current level of readiness to identify cases and respond to any diagnosed cases of measles in Florida.
The department is also working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the organizer of the international conference to notify all conference attendees, as well as all other establishments the traveler visited while infectious in an effort to identify and respond to any possible cases of measles in the state.
The Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) shot, the department says, is the best way to protect against the measles. Those immunized have very little risk of developing measles.
Children and adults, who didn't receive the MMR vaccine--usually given at 12 to 15 months and second at four to six years of age--is urged to get vaccinated.
Symptoms of the measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles and include: Blotchy rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red/ watery eyes (conjunctivitis), feeling run down, achy (malaise), tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik's spots).
Measles is spread through the air by infectious droplets and is highly contagious. It can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.
People who develop symptoms are urged to contact their doctor.
For more information about measles and vaccination information, go to http://www.flhealth.gov/ or www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. Residents who have questions about measles or how to get vaccinated are encouraged to call their local county health department. A complete listing of county health departments is available athttp://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/county-health-departments/find-a-county-health-department/index.html..
