Jacksonville Health Brief: Measles Update, Youth Heart Screenings, and Pediatric Care Changes

Jacksonville is seeing several health-related updates this week, ranging from infectious disease monitoring to heart safety for student-athletes and a major shift in pediatric care partnerships. Here is a quick, local roundup and what it may mean for families.

Measles update in Duval County

Local reporting says Duval County has confirmed a sixth measles case in 2026, with several cases involving young children. Public health leaders have reiterated a key point: community protection depends on high vaccination coverage, and even small drops can make outbreaks easier to sustain.

If you or your child develops fever with cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and then a rash, call a healthcare provider first for instructions before walking into an urgent care or emergency department. Calling ahead can help protect other patients in waiting rooms. If you are unsure of your MMR status, ask your clinic or pharmacy to review your records.

Free heart screenings for young athletes

A Jacksonville event offered free ECG heart screenings for youth and young adults, highlighting growing attention on sudden cardiac arrest prevention in sports. ECG screening can help detect rhythm problems that may not cause symptoms until a crisis occurs.

Families with student-athletes may want to ask about the new Florida requirement taking effect July 1, 2026 for heart screening for new high school athletes, and discuss whether additional evaluation is needed based on fainting, chest pain with exercise, shortness of breath out of proportion, or a family history of early sudden death.

Wolfson partnership news

Wolfson Children’s Hospital announced an expanded partnership with Nemours Children’s Health and said it is ending its deal with UF Health. For parents, the practical question is usually not the headline but the details: where specialty clinics are located, which doctors are in-network, and whether any referral or scheduling pathways change.

If your child is in ongoing specialty care, consider calling the office to confirm referral steps, after-hours contacts, and how medical records will be shared. Keeping an updated medication list and a brief problem summary on your phone can also make transitions smoother.

Quick takeaways

• Check immunization status (especially MMR) and ask your clinician if you have questions about protection.
• For athletes, do not ignore warning symptoms like fainting during exercise; ask about screening and CPR/AED readiness at school.
• If you use pediatric specialty services, confirm networks and referral pathways early to avoid care delays.

Sources

https://www.wokv.com/news/local/wokv-show-notes-february-17-2026-6th-measles-case-is-confirmed-duval-county/UWN2LEGCCRHPRL7FCTDFL6W7BU/
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/02/13/free-heart-screenings-offered-saturday-in-jacksonville-student-athletes-encouraged-to-attend/
https://www.news4jax.com/video/news/2026/02/18/wolfson-announces-expanded-partnership-with-nemours-childrens-health-ends-deal-with-uf-health/
https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/measles/index.html

Related

• Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay to Break Ground on NICU Expansion as Measles Cases Climb Nationally
• Florida Blue, Cleveland Clinic Finalize Network Deal as Measles Counts Climb in Florida
• This Season’s Flu Shot Was a Weaker Match. Here’s What the New CDC Data Means and Why Next Year’s Vaccine Is Changing
• Boulder City Hospital to End Inpatient Admissions May 1, Public Comment Deadline Nears