Health officials confirm case of measles in Kentucky adult

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Health officials confirmed a case of measles in a Kentucky adult.

Officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and Franklin County Health Department made the announcement Wednesday.

The adult had recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission, the health departments said.

Officials are now working to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus and make contact with them.

The resident visited a Planet Fitness on Allen Way in Frankfort from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Feb. 17 while infectious. Health officials said anyone who visited the gym during that timeframe may have been exposed.

Measles is considered one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It's a respiratory virus that can spread through the air and survive for up to two hours after a person infected with it leaves an area.

It can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. The most effective way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated.

"Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world," Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the KDPH, said in a news release. "Fortunately, measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is safe and effective. Vaccines are an essential tool to keep children and adults safe and healthy."

Data from the U.S. Centers for Control and Prevention show only 90% of Kentucky kindergartners have received the MMR vaccine, which the state's health department said is lower than the national average.

Health experts nationwide stress the importance of recognizing the warning signs of measles. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes and typically begin eight to 12 days after exposure. Three to five days after symptoms begin to show, the measles rash will appear, usually on the face first before spreading to the rest of the body.

Unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to the virus are encouraged to quarantine for 21 days after exposure and contact their health care provider if symptoms develop. Stack said exposed individuals going to their health care practitioner should call the office in advance to make them aware of their exposure and symptoms so others aren't exposed.

According to the CDC, there have been three outbreaks of measles in the nation so far this year, with outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Health officials in Texas this week confirmed the death of an unvaccinated child related to the measles outbreak there. The child's death is the first measles-related death reported in the U.S. since 2015.

For more information, resources and more, click here for KDPH's measles page. For information from the CDC, click here.

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