Courtesy of Kentucky Lantern
An adult Kentuckian has measles after traveling internationally “to an area with ongoing measles transmission,” the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Wednesday night.
People who were at the Planet Fitness at 101 Allen Way in Frankfort, on Feb. 17 between 9 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. may have been exposed, the department said. The patient attended this location “while infectious,” the department said.
This is the first confirmed case of measles in a Kentuckian since February 2023. (A September case at Western Kentucky University was in a Tennessean who attended the institution).
Officials are working to locate any people who may have been exposed through this person.
Anyone who’s been exposed to the highly contagious measles should call their health care provider before going to ensure others are not exposed, Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s public health commissioner, said in a statement.
Those who were exposed while unvaccinated need to quarantine for 21 days from the date of exposure, Stack said, and contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms, which can include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes.
“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world,” Stack said. “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.”
Measles is spread through the air from coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One infected person can infect nine in 10 unprotected people around them, the CDC says.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash. The CDC recommends the measles vaccination series at 12-15 months and then at 4-6 years old.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.