LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Public Schools is warning parents of a local case of measles.
In a letter to families, the district said the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness found measles in local wastewater, indicating an undiagnosed or unreported case in the area.
Public health officials ask parents and doctors to keep an eye out for symptoms. Those include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a red rash a few days later.
Doctors said the best way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated.
"It is measles that's been detected on multiple tests," said Louisville Public Health Director Connie Mendel. "So the best thing you can do is get your MMR vaccination, measles, mumps and rubella. Those are recommended for all children going into schools, but even for adults."
JCPS said students who might have the disease are asked to see a doctor before returning to school.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health confirmed July 17 that measles was detected during wastewater surveillance in the Louisville area between July 6 and July 14. As of July 16, the agency said no cases have been reported to public health officials.Â
The last confirmed measles case in a Kentucky resident was reported in Jessamine County in January.Â
The state health department updates its Measles Dashboard routinely with case information. For more information or to look at the dashboard, click here.
Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus, can cause serious health problems, especially in young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus spreads through the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can then linger for up to two hours after the infected person leaves.
The virus can also be spread if someone touches surfaces that an infected person has touched. Symptoms include cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by white spots that appear on the face and down the body. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is the best protection against measles, according to health officials.
Anyone unsure of their vaccination status can visit KDPH's immunization portal by clicking here.
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