College Campuses Face Growing Measles Threat

A substantial measles outbreak has been confirmed at Ave Maria University in southwest Florida, with over 40 cases reported, marking a significant event on a college campus. This outbreak underscores a broader trend of measles posing an increasing threat to college students who are not vaccinated.

Several other universities, including Clemson and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have recently experienced measles exposures or outbreaks. While most colleges mandate measles vaccination, many permit religious or personal exemptions, contributing to a rise in unvaccinated individuals. This situation is concerning as campuses are ideal environments for the highly contagious virus to spread.

Public health experts note that college students today are less likely to have had measles as children due to widespread vaccination in previous decades. However, a growing segment of young adults, influenced by vaccine skepticism, are not protected. This demographic is now entering higher education, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

The rising number of measles cases nationwide, with over 2,280 reported in 2025, is alarming. Experts anticipate even higher numbers this year, partly due to declining childhood vaccination rates. Colleges are now enhancing their response plans, collecting immunization data, and considering stricter vaccine requirements to mitigate future risks.