Measles exposure reaches Lexington: How Kentuckians can prevent the spread

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Nine states are trying to mitigate the spread of measles. Kentucky confirmed its first case on Feb. 26 in Frankfort.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health said on Feb. 17 a man visited the Planet Fitness on 101 Allen Way in Frankfort while being infected.

On Wednesday, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department told FOX 56 News that people were exposed to the measles at a Lexington healthcare facility.

The department told FOX 56 that all of the Fayette County residents who were exposed had their vaccination status verified or were instructed to quarantine until they could prove they are immune to measles.

According to the department, all of the known Fayette County contacts have been released from quarantine, and no new cases have been reported.

How can you prevent measles?

Health officials said the best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old, and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels at UK Healthcare said those who have had the 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. Sixty-three to 68, a little bit of a gray zone, we had a vaccine that wasn’t as effective. Sixty-eight 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.

The Hill reported that vaccination rates have declined nationally since the COVID-19 pandemic, and most states, including Kentucky, are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergarteners—the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.