Todd County Health Department announces measles case in Todd County

TODD COUNTY, Ky. – A measles case has been confirmed in Todd County, according to the Todd County Health Department.

A release on Friday announced the case has been identified in Todd County adult.

According to the release, the resident recently traveled to an international location where there is an ongoing measles transmission.

Health officials say measles is a respiratory virus that is highly contagious that can result in serious health complications, especially in infants and young children.

The department says the measles virus spreads through the air and can last for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.

Officials say symptoms appear within seven to 14 days after contact and include a high fever, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a rash. The release further states the rash normally appears three to five days after symptoms begin, usually on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.

Officials say measles is preventable using an MMR vaccine.

The first dose of this vaccine is routinely administered to children at age 12 months through 15 months, with a second dose at ages 4 through 6. The department says two doses of the vaccine are given to provide life time protection.

The department says it is conducting a case investigation, including contact tracing to identify those who may have been exposed.