Measles cases up fivefold in Florida from 2017 to 2018

Jacksonville, FL — The illness can cause discomfort and, in some cases, death.

The viral infection was eliminated in the year 2000 but it’s making a comeback.

Last year, 15 cases were reported in Florida -- that’s up from just three the year before.

The Chief of Hospital Pediatrics at Nemours and Wolfson, Dr. Mark Toney, said it can be attributed to parents not vaccinating their kids.

“A fivefold increase in one calendar year is very concerning,” said Toney. “When people do come into the hospital and we do see vaccine-preventable illnesses, it’s difficult to know that there was something we could’ve done to prevent the illness.”

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 2018 saw 349 individual cases of measles in 26 states, making it the second-greatest number of annual cases reported since 2000.

Action News Jax showed you last November how the St. Johns County district had a higher percentage of unvaccinated kids compared to Duval County.

"I mean, it's every parent's choice. So, I’m just worried about my own children,” said St. Johns County mom Laura Hunsworth.

Toney said it’s difficult to combat the misinformation regarding vaccines.

“We do not have a relationship with pharmaceutical companies, so it is of no financial interest for me to recommend a preventive medicine,” said Toney.

There’s no cure for measles once you get it but the only way to prevent it is by getting the vaccine.