LEXINGTON, Ky. – With Kentucky in the midst of the largest reported measles outbreak in 35 years, Dr. Frares Khater, ARH System Director of Infectious Disease, is urging providers to stay diligent in recognition, reporting and prevention education efforts.

According to the Kentucky Department of Public Health, 15 cases have been confirmed in western and central Kentucky in the past few days. Those cases in Christian, Owen, Todd, Trigg and Washington counties bring the total number of cases in 2026 to 19.

“We want to make sure all of our providers and any of our hospital and clinic staff know the symptoms should someone present with measles,” he said. “So, we’re looking for anyone presenting with a fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and a rash. If you see those, it’s important to test for measles.”

Patients diagnosed with measles should be put in isolation in the office or hospital, while the provider notifies the health department as well as the hospital infection preventionist.

Khater said only the symptoms – fever, dehydration and itching – can be treated as the disease itself must run its course over a period of days to weeks.

HOW IT IS SPREAD

According to the CDC, measles, due in large part to a successful vaccination program, was considered eliminated in the United States in 2000. With a drop in vaccination numbers in recent years, however, transmission rates have been on the uptick.

Measles, Khater said, is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes or if someone breathes contaminated air or touches their eyes, nose or mouths after coming in contact with a contaminated surface.

“It is one of the most contagious diseases out there,” he said, explaining the disease, which can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, can spread four days before and four days after the telltale rash is visible. “That means a person can spread measles for four days before they even realize they’re infected.”

A person infected with measles, Khater said, will spread the disease to up to 90 percent of the unvaccinated people with whom they have contact.

“So, on average, one infected person can spread measles to 12 to 18 unvaccinated people,” he said.

FACTORS THAT CAN AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION RATE OF MEASLES

• Vaccination coverage: High vaccination rates can significantly reduce the transmission rate. 
• Age distribution of the population: Measles is more easily transmitted among young children. 
• Outbreak size: Larger outbreaks tend to have higher transmission rates. 
• Seasonality: Measles is typically more common during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. 

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF MEASLES?

Khater said most healthy people who contract measles recover without debilitating or long-lasting health troubles. Others, however, might experience severe complications including:

• Encephalitis
• Pregnancy Problems
• Pneumonia
• Hospitalization and death
• Bronchitis, laryngitis or croup
• Ear Infections

HOW TO PREVENT MEASLES

Vaccination, Khater said, is the only tool to prevent the spread of measles.

The CDC recommends that all children get two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years.

Adults without presumptive evidence of vaccination – written documentation of vaccines, laboratory evidence of immunity or a birth before 1957 – should receive at least one dose. And adults in high-risk settings such as educational institutes, healthcare personnel and international travelers, should receive two doses separated by at least 28 days.

“Measles is a very preventable disease, but vaccination is key,” Khater said. “So, we really just want to encourage vaccination and also make sure everyone is aware of the symptoms and knows what to do if they encounter someone with measles.”