The Kentucky Department for Public Health on Thursday announced the first confirmed case of measles in the state since July 2025.
According to the KDPH, the subject is an unvaccinated Jessamine County resident who was exposed when an out-of-state traveler who was infectious with measles visited Fayette County between December 31 and January 2. Public health officials are investigating additional community exposures as a result. The case is unrelated to the December community exposures in Grant County, which were linked to a different out-of-state visitor.
The KDPH says measles “is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children.” Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack says the best defense against measles is a simple one.
“Two doses of vaccine 97 percent guarantees you will not get measles,” Stack said. “Not just that it’s mild measles. You just will not even get measles if you have two doses of childhood measles vaccine, so it’s really, really important that parents have their child get the MMR immunization as a child along with their other routine immunizations.”
Health officials also encourage good health habits to prevent the transmission of measles and other contagious diseases including washing hands often with soap and warm water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home from work or school when sick.
Contact your local health department or healthcare provider for more information on vaccination. More information on the disease can be found on the KDPH measles webpage.
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