State health officials have confirmed a new measles case in Todd County — the first reported in the area this year — bringing Kentucky’s statewide total to six cases for 2025.
The patient had recently traveled internationally and was exposed to measles abroad, and the case is not connected to the three others identified this week in Woodford County.
The Todd County case is part of a broader concern nationwide. The U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with more than 1,200 cases reported so far this year, according to the CDC.
None of the four recent Kentucky cases were vaccinated against measles. State and local health officials are working to identify individuals who may have been exposed during the contagious period.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. It typically begins 8 to 12 days after exposure, starting with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a widespread rash that usually begins on the face.
The MMR vaccine — which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella — is given in two doses: the first between 12 to 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 to 6. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Vaccination rates in Kentucky have declined in recent years. Just 86.9% of kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against measles — well below the national average of 93%.
Health officials continue to urge Kentuckians, especially those traveling internationally, to check their vaccination status and get immunized if needed.
More information is available through the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the CDC.
