TAMPA, Fla. — The measles disease has been spreading around the U.S. with about 200 cases reported in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The first reported outbreak in Miami-Dade County was March 5.
The CDC said 222 reports from 12 states were last updated March 27. They said that 93% of the people who were contaminated were by association.
Jill Roberts is an associate professor at the University of South Florida (USF) for the College of Public Health and Global and Planetary Health.
“Unfortunately measles is one of the most contagious diseases on the planet,” said Roberts.
She said there has been a decline in vaccinations, and that is a part of why this infectious disease has started to spread.
Measles outbreaks have never disappeared. They have been more common in other countries, but now Roberts said physicians and doctors have reported more cases.
“Measles was considered eliminated, which means we don’t normally have cases in the United States,” Roberts said.
Roberts said that when you get the vaccine, you are protected and cannot catch this virus. With how contagious it is, she recommends 21 days of isolation because symptoms do not appear right away.
The symptoms can appear as a common cold, but later a rash will spread across the body. If scratched, a secondary bacterial infection can form.
“I cannot stress enough to go and get vaccinated. If you are unsure if you have had it, be safe and go get it again. I had to get the vaccine twice, and it never affected me,” she said.
The CDC recommends people get two doses of the vaccine to be the most protected.
“In a fight between measles and everything else, measles will always win,” said Roberts.
To find vaccination sites, Roberts said to check if local schools offer it or if the local CVS and Walgreens have it in stock.
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County offers vaccinations for adults and children by appointment.
The vaccine will cost $133 for adults, and children can qualify for free vaccinations through the Vaccine for Children Program. This program can assist parents who can’t afford these immunizations.
“We need to get rid of this stigma with vaccinations and go get them done before it gets out of hand,” said Roberts.
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Photo courtesy of Leah Burdick.