As outbreaks of measles are reported in the southwest, health officials have announced a confirmed case in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Franklin County Health Department say they have confirmed a case of measles in an adult Kentucky resident who recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission. Health officials are working to identify and contact individuals who may have been exposed to the virus after the infected resident visited a fitness center in Frankfort.
The KDPH says “measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children.” Early symptoms begin eight to 12 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes, with the characteristic measles rash appearing three to five days after symptoms begin.
While health officials say measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, it can be prevented with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Recent estimates, however, show that MMR vaccine coverage in Kentucky kindergartners is only 90 percent, which is less than the national average.
The Kentucky measles case is the first confirmed case in the state since 2023, and comes as ongoing measles outbreaks are occurring in Texas and New Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 93 cases have been reported in 2025, and Texas officials this week announced the death of an unvaccinated child from the virus.
