Measles cases are rising across the United States. The state health department is working with other officials to monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Officials have identified four cases of measles in the past two weeks. The cases were in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and none come from state residents. The Florida Department of Health is now reaching out to people who may have come in contact with infected visitors. Tom Truman, a pediatric physician at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital says measles is one of the most contagious diseases.
“Unfortunately some patients have complications including insufflates where the virus actually gets in the brain itself and causes a great deal of inflammation and can even cause death,” Truman says.
Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. It’s highly contagious and lasts for about a week. The most effective form of protection is through vaccination which can be provided through health care providers.
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*Clarification: There are currently no cases of measles in Florida. However, the Florida Department of Health is reaching out to people who may have come in contact with the infected visitors.