Medical leaders talk mitigating measles in Kentucky

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — The illness declared eliminated in the United States 25 years ago has healthcare officials on high alert—and you should be too.

“It is so contagious that you get one case, and we get very anxious because it doesn’t take much for it to take hold in a community,” Nicholas Van Sickels, M.D. at UK Healthcare, said.

The first U.S. measles death in a decade came last week in Texas, pairing with Kentucky seeing its first confirmed case in two years: a man who worked out at Planet Fitness in Frankfort after traveling abroad.

“With one case that has been seen in Kentucky, it’s a great time to think about, ‘Am I or my children at risk for a measles infection?'” Sean Mctigue, M.D. at Kentucky Children Hospital.

This illness can linger in the air for two hours. Those infected can see symptoms like a fever, cough, and runny nose, but the giveaway is a rash.

“You’re very contagious a few days before the rash and about four days after the rash starts,” Sickels said.

Healthcare officials said those who have had the measles, mumps, or rubella vaccines (MMR) have a 97% chance of fighting off any chance of sickness; those without it have a nine out of 10 chance of losing this fight.

“Before 57 (1957), protected by just the prevalence of measles and how easily it spreads. 63 to 68, a little bit of a gray zone, we had a vaccine that wasn’t as effective. 68 and 89, you probably got one dose if you’re born here and got your childhood vaccines, and after 89, if you got the childhood vaccines, you should have gotten two doses,” Sickels said.

Doctors encourage those who may not have gotten the vaccine to get it. The normal recommendation is for children to get the first dose at age one, but if Kentucky becomes a higher-risk area, doctors said that recommendation could drop to six months.