LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A measles outbreak in Kentucky has rapidly intensified, with state health officials confirming Thursday that active cases have now climbed to 25 across the commonwealth — an increase of 10 new cases in just 10 days.
The latest cases bring Kentucky’s total to 29 cases of measles identified so far this year, which includes four earlier cases identified in Jessamine County in January.
This is the highest number of cases since 1991, making this a 35-year-high.
According to health officials, all of the active cases in the state have occurred in individuals who were not vaccinated against the virus.
Case breakdown by county
The 25 active cases are currently spread across six Kentucky counties, with the vast majority concentrated in the southwestern portion of the state:
- Christian County: 14 cases
- Washington County: 5 cases
- Trigg County: 3 cases
- Caldwell County: 1 case
- Owen County: 1 case
- Todd County: 1 case
"It is probably the most contagious disease that we know about," said Dr. Daniel Blatt, an infectious disease specialist.
Measles spreads easily through coughing, sneezing and simply breathing the air around an infected person.
"It could even linger in the air for a couple hours after someone leaves," Blatt said.
It takes eight to 12 days for symptoms to appear.
The symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes and an intense red rash that moves from the head down the body.
"The issue is, is you're very contagious even before the rash shows up," Dr. Blatt said. "So you're contagious right when the fever is there."
Health officials reported that two people in Kentucky are hospitalized due to the outbreak. Nationally, about one in four measles patients require hospitalization.
While many associate measles with a temporary rash, the virus can cause severe immediate and long-term complications, including severe diarrhea, pneumonia and swelling of the brain.
Even more alarming is a rare but fatal degenerative brain disease that can develop seven to 10 years after a person apparently recovers from the initial infection.
"So you may recover from your measles infection, feel perfectly fine, and then a decade later can have a fatal neurological disease," Blatt said.
Local health experts emphasize that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent the disease.
"Most people who are vaccinated do not get measles," Blatt said. "The vaccines are about 97% effective at preventing measles in people."
The escalating outbreak comes amid political discussions surrounding vaccination schedules. The Trump administration recently signed an executive order recommending that the MMR vaccine be split into three separate, spaced-out shots.
However, medical providers note that this option is not currently viable for patients in the United States.
"We do not have separate measles, mumps and rubella vaccine available to us in the U.S.," Blatt said.
Blatt strongly urged parents and individuals to adhere to the established medical guidelines.
"As an expert, as someone who's dedicated their lives to protecting children, I wholeheartedly recommend that people get the MMR vaccine at the recommended schedule," Blatt said.
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