Measles and Vaccine‑Preventable Diseases

The measles outbreak tied to Ave Maria University has climbed to nearly 60 confirmed or probable cases, with Collier County reporting 46 cases between Jan. 1 and Feb. 7 and the campus identified as the primary cluster, making it one of the largest recent U.S. college‑campus outbreaks. Ave Maria requires proof of MMR though Florida allows waivers and the university says the vast majority are vaccinated; health officials have quarantined students within the contagious window (many of whom have since recovered and are considered immune), clinicians say vaccinated patients appear to have milder illness, and the campus remains open as the outbreak unfolds amid a nationwide measles resurgence.