Kentucky Confirms 13th Measles Case in Child After International Travel

Louisville, Kentucky, has reported its first confirmed measles case of 2025 in a child who recently traveled internationally to a country experiencing an outbreak. Health officials are conducting contact tracing and advising potential contacts to isolate due to measles' extreme contagiousness, with the virus capable of spreading through airborne droplets even before symptoms show. This new case raises Kentucky's 2025 measles total to 13, and most cases statewide have been among unvaccinated individuals, highlighting concerns over declining immunization rates. The vaccination status of the Louisville child is not yet confirmed, but officials stress the importance of receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective at preventing measles. Officials urge anyone who suspects they may have measles to call ahead before visiting medical facilities to reduce risk to the public. Symptoms typically appear 8-12 days after exposure, with a rash developing three to five days after the onset of fever and respiratory symptoms.