Measles Update: Recent Spread to Allen County as Cases Rise

Allen County confirmed its first measles case last week. Six additional cases across four other counties brought the state’s outbreak total to 200, compared with 193 the previous week, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Three additional people were hospitalized last week, raising the total number of hospitalizations to 13.

As of Nov. 2, the state’s measles dashboard lists confirmed cases in Allen (1); Barren (5); Bath (15); Caldwell (7); Carroll (5); Christian (66); Laurel (56); Lewis (2); Owen (2); Todd (3); Trigg (32); Trimble (1); and Washington (5) counties. The dashboard also includes four cases confirmed earlier this year in Jessamine County that are not part of the current outbreak.
Besides Allen County, four counties reported new cases last week: Bath added one, Christian added three, Todd added one, and Trigg added one.

According to the state, most cases have occurred in close-knit communities with low vaccination rates across several counties.

Health Secretary Dr. Steven Stack said tracing the origins of new cases is becoming more difficult as the outbreak persists.

“The longer this goes on, it gets harder to discern or determine who has spread it to whom,” he said. He noted that officials sometimes cannot determine where people were infected, increasing the risk for those vulnerable to measles.

Gov. Andy Beshear is continuing to encourage Kentuckians to ensure they are immunized against measles, saying “it’s safe, and it works.”

“To all our Kentucky families, please get your kids vaccinated,” Beshear said during last week’s weekly press conference.

The vaccine is administered in two doses, usually at 12 to 15 months of age and again at ages 4 to 6, though it can be given at any age.

Almost all reported cases have involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

Initial measles symptoms develop seven to 14 days after exposure and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. The distinctive rash may develop three to five days after symptoms start, generally beginning on the face and spreading down the body.
Because measles spreads so easily, people concerned about possible exposure are asked to contact their healthcare provider or local health department for guidance. Anyone with measles should consult their provider from home and avoid contact with others until their symptoms have resolved.