The Cabinet for Health and Family Services says three measles cases were confirmed as part of a small cluster in Woodford County. That's now spread to Fayette County. The fourth was found in an individual exposed while traveling internationally.
Cabinet Secretary Steven Stack says measles is a highly contagious illness that deserves a vigilant approach.
"[With] measles, one person on an airplane could infect the entire airplane just on a one hour flight," he said. "If you get immunized, though, the vaccine—which is safe—two doses during your lifetime, it is a 97 percent effective rate."
All four of the new known cases occurred in individuals who were not vaccinated. Officials are currently working to track down those who may have been exposed.
States surrounding Kentucky — including Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee — have reported outbreaks this year, but Kentucky had avoided that status -- at least as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC considers three or more related cases as an outbreak.
The current nationwide measles outbreak is the largest since the virus was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
Early symptoms of measles begin eight to twelve days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes. The characteristic measles rash typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin.
UPDATE: The Jessamine County Health Department and the Kentucky Department of Public Health are now warning the public about a measles exposure at a Nicholasville water park.
Officials have confirmed a measles exposure at the Riney-B Aquatic Center in Nicholasville on June 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Officials say you can contact the Jessamine County Health Department at 859-885-4149, ext. 1033.