Measles Makes a Comeback on College Campuses

Measles is back, and it's hitting college campuses hard. Recently, over 40 students at a private college in southwest Florida were diagnosed with the virus. This isn't an isolated incident. Schools across the country are seeing similar outbreaks, putting unvaccinated students at risk. College students today are more vulnerable than ever. Unlike older generations, many of them never faced measles as kids. Thanks to vaccines, the disease became rare. But now, with fewer people getting vaccinated, measles is making a comeback. Experts warn that this is just the beginning. More outbreaks are likely if vaccination rates don't improve. Florida's Ave Maria University requires students to show proof of vaccination. However, state law allows exemptions for religious or personal reasons. While most students are vaccinated, even small drops in vaccination rates can create problems. Measles spreads easily, especially in close-knit communities like college campuses.Other schools are also taking notice. Clemson University and Anderson University in South Carolina recently quarantined over 80 students after measles exposures. The University of Wisconsin-Madison notified 4, 000 people of potential exposure, and the University of Florida alerted students after cases were linked to classrooms. Experts say colleges are the perfect place for measles to spread. Dr. Jonathan Temte, a former chair of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, calls campuses an "ideal" breeding ground for the virus. Even vaccinated people can be at risk if their immunity has weakened over time, though this is rare. The outbreak comes as measles cases climb nationwide. Last year, the U. S. recorded 2, 280 confirmed cases, the highest since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. More than 700 cases have already been reported this year, with large clusters in South Carolina and Florida. Public health experts are urging students to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals face the highest risk during outbreaks. Schools are reviewing vaccination records and updating outbreak plans. Some are even considering stricter vaccine rules to protect their students.