Health officials trace positive KY measles case to traveler to visited Lexington
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- Kentucky health officials confirm first local measles case since July 2025.
- Patient in Jessamine County unvaccinated; exposure traced to out-of-state traveler.
- Health officials contact possible exposures, urge MMR vaccination and symptom monitoring.
An out-of-state visitor to Lexington who tested positive for the measles exposed at least one other individual to the highly contagious disease.
The Kentucky resident, a child less than 5 years old from Jessamine County, was exposed to the traveler who visited Lexington around the New Year’s holiday. The unvaccinated traveler stayed at the Hyatt Place in Hamburg and also ate at the Panera Bread on Alysheba Way.
The Jessamine County child is unvaccinated, according to the health department. No other details about them, including specific age or sex, were provided. It is the first confirmed case in a state resident since July.
Officials are investigating other possible exposures from the child. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said it helping local health departments contact people who may have been exposed.
“Measles is a serious and contagious virus that has seen a resurgence in recent years,” Dr. Steven Stack, secretary for the cabinet, said in a news release. “We continue to urge families to take these risks seriously and to protect themselves and their communities by getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
There have been multiple measles exposures in Kentucky in the past few weeks. Around the end of December, a separate out-of-state traveler stayed at a hotel in Dry Ridge and visited the Ark Encounter in Williamstown.
The cabinet said the risk of the broader public catching measles remains low, however. Anyone who may have been exposed is encouraged to monitor for symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash, for 21 days.
Measles can infect up to 90% of unprotected individuals who are exposed. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets that can remain in the air for up to two hours.
It is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young, unvaccinated children, possibly leading to brain swelling, pneumonia, death and other serious complications. Because measles spreads quickly, anyone who suspects they may have it should contact their health department and health care provider.
Vaccination via the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. The cabinet said two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective.
There were 13 measles cases in the state last year, including six in Fayette County and four others in Central Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Nearly all the cases involved unvaccinated patients.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 9:15 AM.
