Measles outbreak spreads to KY. Who is at risk and who needs to update their vaccine
Kentucky has announced its first confirmed measles case since at least 2023, making the state part of a growing outbreak in the U.S. The announcement came the same day Texas health officials announced the death of an unvaccinated child, marking the first measles-related death in the country since 2015.
The case Kentucky health officials announced Wednesday involved an adult resident who recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission.
Measles is a highly contagious virus, and it infects up to 90% of unprotected individuals if they are exposed. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets that can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young, unvaccinated children, possibly leading to brain swelling, pneumonia or death and other serious complications.
While the measles vaccine generally grants lifelong immunity to most people who’ve received it, there may be some groups who need to update their protection, according to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s what to know about vaccine coverage and how to recognize measles symptoms when they appear.
How to know if you’re protected from the measles
According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the first dose of the measles vaccine is typically administered in tandem with the mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to children between 12 and 15 months old. There’s a second, follow-up dose between ages 4 and 6.
That said, recent estimates from the CDC show vaccine coverage for Kentucky kindergarteners is below the national average. Only 90% are covered in Kentucky.
“The best thing anyone can do to protect themselves from measles is to ensure they have completed the vaccination series from childhood. Caregivers should also check with their pediatricians to make certain their kids are updated on the measles vaccine,” Kevin Hall, a spokesperson for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, told the Herald-Leader in an email Thursday.
“Measles is a disease that has been out of mind for so many people because it was essentially eradicated in the U.S. This current case in Kentucky, as well as the outbreak in Texas, is an important reminder of how vaccines protect us,” Hall said.
For most people, vaccine-induced measles immunity is lifelong.
There are some groups who may need to consider updating their measles vaccine, as well.
These include:
Adults born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968. Vaccines were less effective at the time.
Adults who have unclear vaccination histories.
Adults who are in high-risk settings, such as health care personnel and students at post-high school education institutions.
People traveling international, particularly those traveling to high-risk areas.
Children and adolescents who haven’t received the standard two-dose vaccine.
People with immune system disorders, such as HIV.
If you’re concerned about your measles immunity status, contact your health care provider to determine if you should get a booster.
“Individuals who were exposed to the measles virus and are unvaccinated should quarantine for 21 days after their exposure and contact their health care provider immediately if they develop symptoms,” the state health department said Wednesday.
What are the symptoms of measles?
According to the Mayo Clinic, measles causes a red, blotchy rash that usually first appears on the face and behind the ears. It then spreads to the chest and back, before finally spreading to the feet.
Symptoms typically begin 10 to 14 days following exposure and include the following:
Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye)
Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background that are found in the mouth and inner cheeks. These are called Koplik’s spots.
Call your doctor immediately if you think you or your child may have been exposed or have a rash that looks like measles.
“If you have been exposed to measles [and] are going to see a health care practitioner, it is important to call the facility to make them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms prior to entering so that others are not exposed,” Dr. Stephen Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, wrote in the case announcement Wednesday.
Individuals who believe they may have been exposed to the Frankfort case are advised to contact their health care provider or the Franklin County Health Department at 502-564-7647. The state also advertises a measles hotline at 855-598-2246, available between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday for general measles questions.
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