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FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – A measles case has been confirmed in a young child living in the area served by the Barren River District Health Department.
The child, who has not been vaccinated, recently left the country to travel to a region where measles is endemic, says the Kentucky Department of Public Health (DPH). The case is unrelated to an ongoing measles epidemic in Washington State or other measles cases in the United States.
DPH, the Barren River District Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborate in the investigation and confirmed that the child had not become infectious before his return to hospital. Kentucky.
It is estimated that public exposure is very limited and that public health officials are informing people who have been in contact with the child during the infectious period.
Measles is a serious and highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the rubella virus. It's the deadliest of all rash / fever illnesses in childhood, but is preventable with a vaccine. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes for a few days, followed by a rash. The complications of measles, which can range from an ear infection to encephalitis, are of great concern to public health practitioners.
DPH reported that measles cases are extremely rare in the state of Kentucky, but cases have been diagnosed in countries where measles is still common. Anyone with signs and symptoms of measles is encouraged to contact their health care provider.
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