Outbreaks and Epidemics by 
Resurgent Diseases by 
Rubella and Rubeola by 
Vaccine Nation by Measles, also known as Rubeola (not to be confused with the unrelated Rubella virus), is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease. Symptoms of the disease include a high fever, cough, and runny nose that is followed by a rash. Serious complications can include pneumonia, hearing loss, or encephalitis (brain swelling). The disease was once common in the United States with an estimated 3 to 4 million people becoming infected per year prior to 1963. This disease was not taken lightly as it also resulted in an estimated 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations per year. Due to the introduction of a vaccine in 1963 and aggressive vaccination programs in in the 1970s, the number of measles cases declined and the disease was declared eliminated from the US in 2000.
Cases of measles in the United States can still occur when brought in by travelers who have visited other countries with ongoing outbreaks, or when when spread in pockets of unvaccinated populations.
Information is key to protect yourself and your family from this serious disease. Check out the CDC's FAQ page and the links on this webpage to learn more.
*This information was obtained from the CDC and Florida Department of Health.
