Five cases of measles have been confirmed in Duval County this month, putting Jacksonville health officials on high alert as they scramble to track potential exposures. Parents and caregivers are being urged to pull out those vaccination cards and make sure everyone in the household is up to date on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot.
The latest update was reported Wednesday night by First Coast News, which quoted Jacksonville Chief Health Officer Dr. Sunil Joshi as saying at least four of the infections appear to be linked. Epidemiologists have begun contact tracing and are now notifying people who may have crossed paths with the patients.
State records initially showed four Duval County cases, but a fifth was later confirmed to local reporters by Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist at the University of Florida, according to Jax Today. That report notes all five patients are children and that at least three are under age 9, a detail that has guided how the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is targeting its outreach.
Officials Push Vaccinations
The City of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of Health in Duval County have widened access to MMR vaccines, rolling out pop-up clinics and offering walk-in shots to lower the barriers for families who need to get immunized. In a city notice, officials said the administration coordinated with DOH-Duval on the expanded effort. Local TV coverage from WJXT has shown residents lining up for vaccinations. Health authorities say people should check official city and DOH-Duval notices for the latest clinic times and eligibility details.
Hospital Cases and Contact Tracing
Baptist Health confirmed that its downtown emergency department treated two pediatric patients from the same household on Jan. 16. Both children were treated and released, the hospital said. Baptist also reported that it shared the names of possible contacts with the Florida Department of Health, which has launched standard epidemiological investigations, according to Action News Jax.
Why Measles Can Spread Rapidly
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses circulating, and health experts warn it can hang in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Federal guidance notes that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps updated national case counts and prevention advice, while local reporting has highlighted that Florida’s kindergarten vaccination rate has slipped below the 95% level that experts say is needed to reliably prevent outbreaks.
Anyone who thinks they or a family member may have been exposed is urged to call their health care provider or DOH-Duval before showing up at a clinic so staff can arrange safe testing and treatment. The City of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of Health in Duval County continue to post updates on vaccine clinics and any exposure notifications, so residents are advised to monitor those official channels for the most current information.
