Another case of measles has been confirmed in Florida.
According to the Florida Department of Health, an unvaccinated adolescent in Indian River County has the serious viral respiratory disease.
This brings the total cases of measles between Indian River and St. Lucie counties to four. The disease is highly contagious and can spread to others who are unvaccinated.
"Vaccination continues to be the best prevention against measles," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "Vaccination remains so important for children, adults and families across our state to protect themselves and their communities from this serious and preventable infection."
Last week, the agency reported two unvaccinated adults in Indian River County had the disease.
People who are particularly susceptible are pregnant woman, infants under the age of 12 months and people who are immunocompromised.
Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing and is highly contagious. When a person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air. The virus can live on surfaces or in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed for up to two hours.
A typical case of measles begins with flu-like symptoms. The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles and include the following:
• 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)
People who develop these symptoms should contact their health care provider right away.
For additional questions about measles, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/vaccine-preventable-disease/measles/index.html.
For more information about the Florida Department of Health, visit www.floridahealth.gov.