Health officials report second confirmed case of measles in Central KY county
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Two Jessamine County students quarantined after exposure to measles case.
- State reports two confirmed cases and warns unvaccinated children at risk.
- Health officials urge monitoring symptoms for 21 days and MMR vaccination.
A second case of the measles has been reported in Jessamine County in less than a week, and two public school students there are in quarantine following exposure to the highly contagious virus.
The newest case is in an unvaccinated child younger than 5 years old, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. No other details about the case were provided.
The case comes just days after another young, unvaccinated child in Jessamine County tested positive for measles. The state health department said that child, also under the age of 5, was exposed to an unvaccinated, out-of-state traveler who had measles and visited Lexington over the New Year’s holiday.
Measles can infect up to 90% of unprotected individuals who are exposed, and the virus spreads through respiratory droplets that can remain in the air for up to two hours.
In addition to the two cases in young children, two Jessamine County Schools students are quarantining after being exposed to measles, according to Patrice Jones, director of public relations for Jessamine County Schools. Jones said the students have not tested positive for measles as of Jan. 20 and are quarantining as a precaution.
The students attend East Jessamine Middle School and East Jessamine High School. One of the students attends the Jessamine Career and Technology Center, which is located at West Jessamine High School.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services previously said the risk of the broader public catching measles remains low. 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.
The measles is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young, unvaccinated children, possibly leading to brain swelling, pneumonia, death and other serious complications. Because the virus spreads quickly, anyone who suspects they may have it should contact their health department and health care provider.
Vaccination via the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is the best protection against measles. The cabinet said two doses of the 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.
