Kentucky health officials confirm measles case in WKU student from Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A case of the measles has been confirmed in a Western Kentucky University student.

In a news release Tuesday, health officials with Barren River Health District and Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH) said the student, who is not vaccinated, is a Tennessee resident and recently traveled internationally, where it's believed they contracted the virus.

“Measles is only an airplane ride away,” said Dr. Steven Stack, KDPH Commissioner said. “Fortunately, most Kentuckians are immune to measles due to safe and effective vaccination.”

Kentucky and Tennessee health officials are coordinating efforts to evaluate exposures. Individuals who visited the following locations during the dates and times listed may have been exposed:

The Commons at Helm Library (WKU): 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11067, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 7:45-10 a.m. and 8-10:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 29 from 7:45-10 a.m.
- Friday, Aug. 30, from 7:45-10 a.m.
WKU Student Union – Starbucks: 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Simply Ramen Restaurant: 801 Campbell Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42014
- Thursday, Aug. 29 from 7-11 p.m.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus spread through the air. Symptoms can begin 8-12 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, running nose and red or watery eyes. The measles rash usually appears three to five days after symptoms start and typically starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Stack said in the release if a person is exposed to measles and are unvaccinated, they should quarantine for 21 days after their exposure and contact their health care provider if have symptoms.

In the U.S., the first dose of the measles vaccine is combined with the mumps and rubella vaccines, commonly referred to as the MMR vaccine, to children 12-15 months old. A second dose of the vaccine is given to 4-6 year olds. The two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective.

This is the first confirmed case of measles in Kentucky this year, however, the KDPH worked with the Ohio Department of Health in January on a measles exposure at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

If you have questions or concerns, call your health care provider or Barren River District Health Department at 833-551-0953.

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