Kentucky’s measles outbreak has spread to Fayette County. Here’s what to know
An outbreak of the highly contagious measles virus in Woodford County has now spread to neighboring Fayette County, state public health officials announced Monday.
In a news release from Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, officials said there are five measles cases in the state as of June 30, with four of those connected to the same outbreak. Another case, which is located in Todd County in Western Kentucky, appears to be unrelated.
Dr. Steve Davis, medical director for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, told the Herald-Leader in a call Monday afternoon there is at least one active measles case in Fayette County.
However, given the circumstances, Davis said the exposure event was limited. The department has been able to conduct contact-tracing and quarantine the individual’s contacts. The individuals involved have been self-isolating at home for about two weeks, Davis said.
Still, given that measles is a highly contagious virus, Davis urged those in the public to call the health department and their health care provider if they suspect they have been exposed. The department can been reached at 859-288-2372.
In a statement, Kentucky Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack described the spread as “not surprising” given the wider measles outbreak across the country. So far this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 1,200 measles cases across multiple states.
“When there are measles outbreaks in other states and nearby countries, it is not surprising to see spread to Kentucky,” Stack said in the cabinet’s news release. “Measles can be very serious, but it is avoidable through vaccination. We urge all parents to have their children vaccinated to ensure they are protected from preventable diseases like measles.”
Asked earlier Monday if it was treating anyone for measles, UK HealthCare said it had no admitted patients who tested positive for the highly contagious virus.
Last week, four cases of measles were reported in Kentucky, including three in one Woodford County household. The state said none of the four people had been vaccinated for measles.
Kentucky’s first confirmed case of measles in 2025 came in February and was documented in a Franklin County adult who traveled abroad. The second case occurred in March in a child traveling through the state to seek treatment, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
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.
The telltale measles rash is a red, blotchy rash that usually first appears on the face and behind the ears, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. It then spreads to the chest and back before finally spreading to the feet.
Symptoms typically begin 10 to 14 days following exposure, but the virus can be spread four days before the rash appears and four days after, per the Mayo Clinic.
Other symptoms worth watching for include:
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
Inflamed eyes and conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye
Fever
Dry cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Call your doctor or health care provider immediately if you or your child have been exposed to measles. It’s important to call ahead to keep the virus from spreading further.
Herald-Leader reporter Monica Kast contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM.