INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Florida Department of Health has not notified the Indian River County School District regarding the third confirmed measles case, which involves an adolescent.
The department said that no letter has been sent out to school officials because there is no current need.
Tim O’Connor, the interim press secretary for the Florida Department of Health, said he could not comment on whether the teenager is a student at an Indian River County school, public or otherwise. It is possible the teen is homeschooled, but O’Connor could not confirm that.
O’Connor said the unvaccinated adolescent’s measles case is connected to that of the two unvaccinated adults’ cases but could not elaborate on the connection other than to say the child does not live in the adults’ home.
It is possible the teen is a family member or had otherwise crossed paths with one or both adults, he said.
“They are doing well,” O’Connor said of all three measles patients.
Measles is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus of the same name (Measles). The disease is highly contagious and can spread to others who are unvaccinated.
“The best defense is getting the vaccine,” O’Connor said.
Those who were vaccinated against the disease as a child enjoy an estimated 95 percent effective defensive rate against the disease as an adult, according to O’Connor.
Adults who are unsure of their vaccination history or those at increased health risk are encouraged to contact their primary physician to discuss getting a vaccination. O’Connor said there is a test, albeit an expensive one, that adults can have done to determine whether or not their childhood vaccination is still effective.