Four Unvaccinated Children Have Contracted Measles Says Health Department Officials

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Health Department officials have confirmed that four unvaccinated children have contracted measles in Sarasota County.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County  said the children have had close contact with one another.

The Department says it looks as if the infections were acquired locally but the source has not been identified.

Officials say they are working to notify anyone who may have been exposed to measles in connection with this case.

The department encourages all residents and visitors who have not been immunized yet to get vaccinated.

Measles is a virus that is very easily spread by air droplets when infected persons breathe, cough, or sneeze. The first symptoms are a high fever that may spike to 105°F, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes followed by a blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the feet.

Measles is a potentially severe disease, especially in young children and persons with compromised immune systems.

Complications of the virus can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.

Unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles should be quarantined for up to 21 days from public areas, such as school and work, where they would infect others.