A university in southwest Florida is facing a growing measles outbreak, with at least 11 suspected cases reported among students, health officials have said.
The cases are linked to Ave Maria University in eastern Collier County and mark the first measles outbreak recorded in the region. Health experts say the rise is part of a wider increase in measles cases, largely blamed on declining vaccination rates.
According to a certified physician assistant at the Mater Dei Clinic in Ave Maria, six cases had been confirmed by laboratory tests by midday on February 2, but medical teams believe the total number of positive cases has reached 11. Testing is still ongoing at the clinic, on campus and within the surrounding community, raising concerns that the number could increase.
“So far, all the cases are restricted to university students,” said Anthony Musingo of the Mater Dei Clinic. He added that three to four students have been hospitalized, although their conditions were not disclosed.
Local health systems, including Naples Comprehensive Health, Lee Health and Physicians Regional Healthcare System, said they had not admitted any measles patients as of February 2. There have also been no reported cases in local schools, according to the Collier County Public Schools district.
“Collier County Public Schools has received no report of students or employees with measles,” said district spokesman Chad Oliver, noting that the district remains in contact with the Florida Department of Health for guidance.
The Mater Dei Clinic has confirmed three cases, while a local pediatrician has reported two others. The remaining cases are believed to have been identified through testing conducted by the university, which has a nurse carrying out on-campus screenings.
State health officials have moved to support the response. The Florida Department of Health said it has deployed staff to the university to provide additional resources, including vaccinations. Free measles vaccines are available to the public at health department offices in Naples and Immokalee.
Musingo said some of the infected students had been vaccinated, but stressed that vaccination remains the best protection against measles. “At the moment, the virus does not appear to have spread beyond the university,” he said, adding that there is no cause for panic but continued caution is necessary.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. Health experts warn that unvaccinated people and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk. While the Florida Department of Health’s official disease tracker has not yet been updated to include the Collier County cases, the outbreak has raised concerns about the spread of the virus in the state.
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