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FRANKFORT, Kentucky (WAVE) – Kentucky officials say a child contracted measles after leaving the country.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said the child, who lives near Bowling Green, was not vaccinated.
He went to an area where measles is regularly detected. The child showed no signs of infection before returning to the United States, health officials told NBC affiliate WAVE in Louisville.
"Measles is an extremely contagious disease, so it is extremely important that close contacts be notified," said Dr. Jeff Howard, DPH Commissioner, at WAVE. "We are working diligently with our local health department and CDC colleagues to make sure that contacts are aware of this potential case, get the necessary medical care and do not transmit the disease to others. We can not emphasize enough the importance of vaccination. Measles, among many other diseases preventable by vaccination, is an extremely dangerous disease, especially for young children. "
The case is unrelated to an outbreak in the state of Washington or other measles cases in the United States.
Measles is considered the most lethal of all rashes and childhood fever, but it can be prevented by vaccination.
The measles vaccine is given to children aged 12 to 15 months and 4 to 6 years.
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