The Florida Department of Health has confirmed measles in an adult international traveler who attended a conference last week at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, in Kissimmee.

The travel spent time in several counties in Central Florida and South Florida. The conference was March 16-17.

Most of the traveler's time was spent in Osceola County, but he also spent time in Miami-Dade, Orange and Sarasota counties during the infections period of March 14-20, health officials said.

The traveler didn't visit any theme parks during his visit.

The traveler was hospitalized March 20-24, in Miami. After recovery, the man left Florida by plane on March 25.

Health officials continue to work closely with health care professionals 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 Florida Department of Health 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 and other establishments the traveler visited while infectious to identify potentially exposed individuals.

In addition, Florida Department of Health monitors emergency room and urgent care center visits in order to rapidly identify and respond to any possible cases of measles in the state.

The Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) shot is the best way to protect against measles. Those who are fully immunized have very little risk of developing measles. Ideally, children should receive two doses, the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Children and adults who have not ever received MMR vaccine in the past should also get vaccinated.

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 doctor. 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.

For more information about measles and vaccination information, go to www.flhealth.gov or www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html. 

A complete listing of county health departments is available here.