Kentucky's second measles case was found in a patient traveling through the state
By Josh James
April 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM EDT
A second confirmed case of measles has been reported in Kentucky.
The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports the second known case of 2025 in the commonwealth was diagnosed in a child who was traveling through the state and was treated at a Kentucky health facility.
Exposure risk from the case appears low and no other cases have been linked.
So far, 10 states — including three of Kentucky's neighbors, Ohio, Indiana, and now Tennessee — have active outbreaks. An outbreak is defined as three or more related cases. Kentucky's first known case was in February.
While that means the state continues to avoid being listed among those tackling outbreaks, state Health Commissioner Steven Stack said the overall trends are "concerning."
Infectious disease expert Dr. Nicholas Van Sickles says a typical case involves "a really bad fever, runny nose, cough, some spots and sores in their mouth, and then the rash. And that's usually how we recognize it as the rash, and it is very contagious."
At least 800 cases have been confirmed in the US this year, with two children and an adult having died of measles related illness.
Exposure risk from the case appears low and no other cases have been linked.
So far, 10 states — including three of Kentucky's neighbors, Ohio, Indiana, and now Tennessee — have active outbreaks. An outbreak is defined as three or more related cases. Kentucky's first known case was in February.
While that means the state continues to avoid being listed among those tackling outbreaks, state Health Commissioner Steven Stack said the overall trends are "concerning."
Infectious disease expert Dr. Nicholas Van Sickles says a typical case involves "a really bad fever, runny nose, cough, some spots and sores in their mouth, and then the rash. And that's usually how we recognize it as the rash, and it is very contagious."
At least 800 cases have been confirmed in the US this year, with two children and an adult having died of measles related illness.