The measles outbreak at Ave Maria University in Collier County, Florida, has grown to 57 confirmed cases, with seven students currently contagious, according to a campus update released Wednesday.
The surge in cases at the private Catholic university marks the largest outbreak on an American college campus in recent history, according to reports. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 46 confirmed measles cases across Collier County between January 1 and February 7, 2026, with Ave Maria University identified as the primary location of the cluster.
Students described the illness as severe, with some requiring hospitalization, but indicated that friends who contracted measles are recovering. “It hits people hard,” said Kate Lyons, a student athlete, describing the experience of a friend who had been hospitalized. Another student, Andrew Cooper, said a friend contracted measles and “got the scars on them,” but has since recovered.
According to the DOH, the contagious period for measles extends from four days before the onset of a rash to four days after the rash begins. All students assessed by the university nurse within this period are currently in quarantine.
The outbreak at Ave Maria University is occurring as measles cases increase nationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 910 cases of measles in the U.S. As of February 12, 2026. In 2025, there were 2,280 confirmed cases, including 25 among international visitors.
Florida currently ranks among the top three states for measles cases, with 63 reported as of February 16, 2026. South Carolina leads the nation with 616 cases, followed by Utah with 96. Twenty-three other states have also reported cases this year, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The CDC states that before the introduction of the measles vaccine, approximately 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400-500 died annually in the U.S. Due to measles. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, recently urged vaccination, stating, “Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem.”
Ave Maria University officials have been providing frequent updates to students and families, and are working closely with the DOH to monitor the situation and offer free vaccination clinics. The vast majority of the university community – 98% – is protected against measles through prior infection or vaccination, according to the DOH.
The DOH is scheduled to release updated outbreak numbers on Thursday.
