Measles has surfaced again in the region, this time at Naples Classical Academy. Statewide, Florida has logged 114 measles cases as of February 21.
Naples Classical Academy reported a confirmed exposure after a visitor who spent less than three hours on campus tested positive for measles. The Florida Department of Health notified school leaders and has kept up daily contact, according to Head of School Christopher Wester. As a safety measure, the academy canceled all public events until March 3.
This latest exposure adds to growing anxiety about measles in the area. Collier County alone has seen 83 reported cases, including outbreaks at Ave Maria University. Lee County has reported two cases.
So far, no additional cases have surfaced at Naples Classical Academy since the exposure. Wester says he’s confident the situation is under control.
Lee County has also recorded a positive measles test, confirmed Friday by Lee Health. In a statement, Lee Health said, “We had one positive test result. We’re closely monitoring measles activity and coordinating across our teams to stay prepared. This internal teamwork helps us respond quickly and keep resources aligned.”
Lee Health emphasized that its clinical teams follow strict infection prevention protocols and work closely with public health officials. If someone comes in with suspected measles, staff move quickly to isolate the patient and protect everyone in the facility.
Vaccination remains the best defense against measles, Lee Health stressed. They urge anyone interested in the vaccine to reach out to their primary care provider or the Florida Department of Health. The MMR vaccine is currently free for anyone who wants it.
Lee Health recommends that you contact your doctor or the Department of Health if you suspect measles exposure and exhibit symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash, prior to visiting any healthcare provider. This way, healthcare teams can take precautions and help prevent further spread.
The Florida Department of Health’s most recent data shows 66 measles cases in Collier County and one in Lee County from January through mid-February. Statewide, they had reported 92 cases in that same period. For comparison, Florida saw just seven measles cases in all of 2023.
As of February 10, Ave Maria University reported 49 students infected since the year began. The university hasn’t responded to media requests, even after updating its contact information.
A physician’s assistant at the Mater Dei Clinic in Ave Maria says they have seen new measles cases for two weeks. So far, cases at the university haven’t spread to the wider community. The clinic has no affiliation with the university.
