— An outbreak at Ave Maria University, near Naples, Florida, has produced nearly 60 confirmed measles cases as a broader wave of infections spreads across the United States. Health officials say at least 21 states have reported cases in 2026, and CBS counted more than 1,000 confirmed infections this year so far. Public-health leaders warn the United States faces a real risk of losing its measles-elimination status if transmission continues. The university has said protecting the campus community remains an ongoing priority.
- Nearly 60 confirmed measles cases are associated with Ave Maria University in or near Naples, Florida, as of Feb. 13, 2026.
- At least 21 U.S. states have reported measles cases in 2026; CBS tracked more than 1,000 confirmed cases nationwide this year.
- South Carolina reports the largest single-state cluster, with over 900 cases since September 2025.
- The CDC recommends the first MMR dose at 12–15 months; measles incubation is 7–14 days after exposure.
- Vaccination appears to have reduced illness severity in at least two local cases treated by a Naples-area clinician.
- Public-health officials cite international travel and unvaccinated subpopulations as key drivers of the current spread.
Background
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that was declared eliminated in the United States more than two decades ago because endemic transmission had stopped. That status depends on maintaining very high vaccination coverage and rapid containment of imported cases. Over the last year, pockets of low vaccination and incoming travel-related introductions have produced localized outbreaks.
In 2026 the pace of reported infections accelerated: CBS tracked over 1,000 confirmed cases nationwide through mid-February, roughly half the number logged across all of 2025. Three years ago, by contrast, the country reported only two cases at this point in the calendar year. Public-health authorities point to both cross-border travel and communities with low vaccine uptake as central contributors to renewed transmission.
Main Event
The cluster at Ave Maria University has grown rapidly. Campus and county health officials have identified nearly 60 cases linked to the school since the first student case was confirmed; the university says it is prioritizing student and staff safety. A sophomore who reported being unvaccinated described first noticing mild cold-like symptoms followed by a rash and sore throat before testing positive.
Local clinician Dr. Raul Enad told reporters he treated two measles patients — a student and a faculty member — and said the professor had been vaccinated. According to Enad, the vaccinated professor experienced a less severe course of illness than unvaccinated contacts, a pattern consistent with vaccine-modified disease.
State and campus public-health teams have conducted contact tracing and notified potentially exposed individuals. The university has posted guidance on symptom recognition and isolation, and nearby clinics have offered testing and supportive care. Authorities are emphasizing MMR vaccination for eligible students and staff as the primary prevention strategy.
Analysis & Implications
The current rise in cases raises the prospect that the United States could lose its official measles-elimination status if sustained chains of transmission persist. An elimination designation reflects the absence of continuous disease spread for more than 12 months; imported cases can be managed if high vaccine coverage is maintained and responses are swift. The combination of frequent international travel and clusters of undervaccinated people increases the probability of repeated importations and subsequent outbreaks.
From a health-systems perspective, measles surges strain public-health resources: contact tracing, laboratory testing, isolation facilities and targeted vaccination campaigns all require staffing and funding. Schools and universities in particular face operational challenges because of communal living, frequent social mixing, and variable documentation of vaccination status among students.
Politically and socially, the outbreaks underscore persistent vaccine hesitancy and the impact of misinformation. Public-health campaigns that combine easy access to MMR vaccination, clear messaging about safety and effectiveness, and targeted outreach to undervaccinated communities will be central to reversing current trends. Clinically, preserved vaccine effectiveness is evident where vaccinated individuals experience milder illness, reducing risk of severe outcomes such as pneumonia or encephalitis.
Comparison & Data
| Location / Category | Reported cases |
|---|---|
| Ave Maria University (Naples, FL) | Nearly 60 |
| United States (2026, to date) | More than 1,000 (CBS count) |
| United States (all of 2025) | Approximately 2,000 (CBS reported ~double 2026 pace) |
| South Carolina outbreak (since Sept. 2025) | More than 900 |
| U.S. at same point in 2023 | 2 cases |
These figures show both a sharp year-over-year increase and concentrated high-burden clusters. The South Carolina outbreak alone accounts for the largest single share of cases; if it continues unchecked it substantially increases national transmission risk. The university cluster, while numerically smaller, is significant because campuses can amplify spread rapidly without prompt containment.
Reactions & Quotes
Officials at federal and local levels offered assessments and context as the events unfolded.
“It’s just the cost of doing business with our borders being somewhat porous for global and international travel,”
Ralph Abraham, principal deputy director, CDC
CDC leadership pointed to travel-linked introductions and localized pockets of non‑vaccination as reasons outbreaks continue to occur. The agency emphasizes vaccination, rapid detection and containment to prevent re-establishment of continuous transmission.
“She would have been more sick if she had not been vaccinated,”
Dr. Raul Enad, clinician treating local cases
Local clinicians used the campus cluster to illustrate how prior vaccination often reduces severity even when breakthrough infections occur. That pattern supports efforts to increase MMR coverage among eligible students and staff.
“I think it’s a good reminder that kids should get the measles shot,”
Dr. Marty Makary, FDA commissioner
Federal health officials reiterated routine immunization guidance and urged parents to follow the recommended childhood MMR schedule.
Unconfirmed
- Exact index case and initial source of the Ave Maria University cluster remain under investigation; health officials have not publicly confirmed a single importation event.
- Complete vaccination records for all affected students and staff have not been released, so the proportion of vaccinated versus unvaccinated cases is not fully verified.
- Potential secondary spread into surrounding communities beyond reported counts may be under-detected pending ongoing contact tracing.
Bottom Line
The Ave Maria University outbreak is a concentrated reminder that measles can reemerge rapidly when importations intersect with undervaccinated groups. With more than 1,000 confirmed U.S. cases in 2026 to date and major clusters such as the one in South Carolina, public-health officials say the country is at risk of losing its long-held elimination status unless vaccination and containment efforts intensify.
For the public, the immediate action is clear: ensure MMR vaccination is up to date, recognize measles symptoms early, and cooperate with local health guidance on testing and isolation. Policymakers and institutions — especially schools and universities — will need to balance outreach, access to vaccines and clear communication to limit further spread and protect vulnerable populations.