Measles Alert

Kentucky health officials announced four new measles cases in the Commonwealth. Three cases are part of the same household in Woodford County, while the fourth case is in Todd County.

All four cases were unvaccinated for measles. Health officials are working to identify people who may have been exposed while contagious. These four new cases bring the total number of cases of measles in the Commonwealth this year to six.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Immunization against measles comes through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Earlier this year, Kentucky officials shared that MMR vaccine coverage among kindergarteners has dropped to 86.9%, which is lower than the national average of 93%. The United States is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of measles since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.

To view the full Cabinet for Health and Family Services press release, please visit:
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/.../Kentucky%20Health%20Officials...

To learn more about Measles, please visit:
https://www.chfs.ky.gov/.../dph/dehp/idb/Pages/measles.aspx