Where have measles cases been reported in KY? Track the highly contagious virus
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky has reported 14 measles cases in 2025 as of July 28
- Fayette and Woodford counties account for nine outbreak-linked infections.
- All infected individuals either lacked full MMR vaccination coverage or had an unknown vaccination status.
An outbreak of the highly contagious measles virus has reached 14 total cases across Kentucky, with the latest case reported in Louisville this week, according to media reports.
That case makes for a total of two reported in Louisville. They aren’t connected to a larger measles outbreak in Fayette and Woodford counties, WDRB in Louisville reported Tuesday.
There are nine total measles cases in the Central Kentucky outbreak, the last of which was identified July 8, according to a Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services tracker, last updated July 28. Of those nine cases, six are in Fayette County and three in Woodford County.
As of July 30, no new measles cases have been reported in Fayette County, Dr. Steve Davis of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department confirmed. The individuals are household contacts and have been quarantining since the initial case.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that 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. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young, unvaccinated children, possibly leading to brain swelling, pneumonia, death and other serious complications.
Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a red, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and behind the ears, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tiny white spots inside the mouth, called Koplik spots, are another telltale sign of measles.
Given how fast measles spreads, anyone who suspects they may have it should contact their local health department and health care provider.
Where have measles cases been reported in Kentucky in 2025?
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 who does not live in the U.S. The child was traveling through the state to seek treatment. They were diagnosed at a Kentucky health care facility, making it a Kentucky case, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
A separate measles case unrelated to the Fayette/Woodford outbreak was also confirmed in Todd County June 27.
According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, cases by county of residence are as follows, current as of July 28, 2025:
- Fayette County: 6
- Franklin County: 1
- Jefferson County: 2
- Todd County: 1
- Woodford County: 3
- International resident diagnosed in Kentucky: 1
Of the 14 Kentucky measles cases, 13 were either unvaccinated or those with unknown vaccination status. The remaining case had only one dose of the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine is the standard recommendation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“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,” Kentucky Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack previously said of the outbreak.
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