Health officials report measles case, suspect outbreak in Christian County

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky health officials say a case of measles with a high number of community exposures has been confirmed in Christian County.

According to a release by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the individual was not vaccinated against measles and is believed to have been exposed through contact with an out-of-state visitor from a community with an ongoing measles outbreak.

Health officials say “additional unconfirmed reports of measles in Christian County have led health officials to suspect a wider outbreak in the area.”

“Measles is a serious, debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disease,” said Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack. “Fortunately, measles is almost entirely preventable for those who have been vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. We urge all parents and caregivers to talk to their healthcare providers about their child’s immunizations and how best to keep their families healthy.”

According to health officials, measles is a “highly contagious virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children.”

The virus is spread through the air, where health officials say it can stay suspended for up to two hours.

Early symptoms of measles begin eight to 12 days after exposure and may include high fever, cough, a runny nose and red/watery eyes, health officials say.

According to the release, a measles rash normally appears three to five days after symptoms start, usually on the face before spreading down to the rest of the body.

“The Christian County Health Department remains committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents,” said CCHD Director Devin Brumfield. “CCHD staff are working closely with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and local partners to identify potential exposures, notify those who may be at risk, and provide appropriate guidance.”

The first dose of measles vaccine is regularly administered as part of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine given to children at age 12 months through 15 months, with a second dose at age four years through six years. Together, officials say these two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts.

In 2025, the release says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory urging all people age one year and older traveling outside of the United States to receive two doses of MMR vaccine if they have never been vaccinated or are uncertain of their vaccination status. Infants ages 6 to 11 months traveling internationally are also recommended to receive one early dose of MMR, officials say.

“We encourage residents to review their vaccination status for measles, mumps, and rubella and to contact CCHD or their healthcare provider with potential concerns,” Brumfield said. “We will continue to share information as it comes available while respecting patient privacy.”

Immunization rates among Kentucky’s kindergartners have recently increased but are still among the lowest in the nation, the release says. According to the release, results from the most recent school immunizations survey for the 2025-26 school year indicate that only 90.7% of Kentucky kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against measles, which is lower than the national average of 93% in 2024-25.

This is the first confirmed case of measles in Kentucky since January 2026, when four cases were identified in Jessamine County, health officials say.

According to the release, the U.S. is currently experiencing the largest measles outbreak since 2000. As of Aug. 6, officials say the CDC had reported more than 2,465 confirmed cases of measles across the country, the highest number of cases in a single year in 35 years. Confirmed cases and outbreaks have recently been reported in Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and Pennsylvania, among other states, according to officials.

For more information about measles, including a link to the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s measles dashboard which updates case counts daily, visit the department’s measles webpage at www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/idb/Pages/measles.aspx.