Second Kentucky measles case confirmed by state health officials

Kendall Staton, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 24, 2025

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Kentucky has reported its second case of the measles this year, state officials confirmed Thursday in a press release.

In March, a child traveling through the state was diagnosed with the disease at a health care facility in Kentucky.

The child is not a resident of the U.S., but because they received a diagnosis in the commonwealth, it will be counted as a Kentucky incident.

There are no other cases and no risks of exposure to Kentuckians associated with this case, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said in a press release. They did not specify what county the diagnosis was made in.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children.

Measles is spread through the air, and causes symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. The “measles rash” typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin, usually on the face before spreading down to the rest of the body.

Kentucky reported its first, and only other 2025 case, of the measles on Feb. 26 in Franklin County.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 800 measles cases across the U.S. this year. That’s the largest measles outbreak in the country since it was declared eliminated in 2000 in the U.S.

The outbreak comes as vaccination rates in Kentucky’s children are declining, the press release said.

Only 86.9% of kindergartners in Kentucky have the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. That’s lower than the national average of 93%.

“These are concerning trends that we are seeing,” said Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack in the press release.

“It is really important that folks are properly informed about vaccines so they can take safe steps to protect their children,” he said. “Vaccines are safe and effective. We urge all parents to have their children vaccinated to ensure they are protected from preventable diseases like measles.”

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