Measles case traced to northern Kentucky airport

SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY – A case of measles was traced to Cincinnati-Northern Airport in Boone County. Health authorities say that people who were passing through the airport may have been exposed.

But what danger does measles pose to people in the United States? Nearly 93.1% of the population is vaccinated for measles through MMR vaccine.

Dr. Kris Bryant, an infectious disease expert at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, says there are a few things to look out for.

“Common symptoms of measles include fever, cough, a bad runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that begins on the face or the head and spreads down the body. Now, measles can be very serious. So one in five people who are unvaccinated who develop measles will need to be hospitalized,” Bryant said.

Thankfully, most people have been immunized, but some people are more highly susceptible to the virus than others, meaning that it is important to continue having a high national rate of vaccination for measles.

“With the rising number of cases in the U.S., measles is really on our doorstep. We have the tools to prevent measles. Vaccines are safe and very effective. The first dose is given at 12 months of age. The second dose is given just before entry to kindergarten,” Bryant said.