Measles Outbreak at Ave Maria University
A measles outbreak at Ave Maria University began in late January, starting with two confirmed cases that escalated to nearly 60 by February 11. In response to the situation, the university, located in eastern Collier County, Florida, has decided to stop sharing updates on the recovery status of students or the number currently in quarantine. Instead, they will lean on the case information from the state Department of Health’s reportable disease website.
However, there’s a catch. The state’s website doesn’t specify the geographic locations of cases within a county, leaving residents of Collier in the dark about whether the outbreak is limited to the campus of approximately 1,400 students or if it has gone beyond that to the larger Ave Maria community, which includes about 7,400 residents.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that last year, Florida’s state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo proposed eliminating vaccine requirements for children in public schools. Although he doesn’t have the authority to eliminate all vaccine mandates—legislative action is necessary for vaccines like measles, mumps, and rubella—his proposal has raised concerns. Some vaccines, including those for polio and diphtheria, also require legislative approval to repeal.
I recall writing a profile about Ave Maria University a few years back. The piece focused on the significant financial backing of Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza and a key conservative philanthropist. At a Catholic Men’s Conference, he excitedly announced that the construction of the university— the first new Catholic university in 40 years—was progressing. A $240 million initial phase aims to establish the campus around the ‘Oratory of Ave Maria,’ a grand church designed to hold thousands of worshippers and featuring striking architectural elements.
Interestingly, the university claims a 98% vaccination rate among its students, which sounds impressive. Yet, experts point out that there are still “pockets” of unvaccinated individuals. In Florida, an increasing number of students are requesting religious or conscience-based exemptions to vaccination. This trend raises eyebrows, especially given that the university’s traditionalist stance might appeal to families who are wary of modern medical mandates, although the official Catholic Church advocates for vaccination.
