Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Health Dept. Investigating Unvaccinated Pinellas Child With Measles

child receives a shot in the arm
iStock
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

Florida health officials are investigating a case of measles from a child they say was not vaccinated.

The Department of Health in Pinellas County said Monday it's working to identify and notify others who may have been exposed. It's unclear how the child contracted the virus.

Measles is a virus that is easily spread by air droplets when infected persons breathe, cough, or sneeze.

The first symptoms are a high fever that may spike to 105F, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Symptoms are followed by a blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the feet.

Officials urged parents to vaccinate their children as the only way to protect against the virus.