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Ky. — <a href="https://healthylife7.com/lack-of-data-contributing-to-womens-health-gap/” title=”Lack of data contributing to ‘women’s health gap’”>Health officials have identified a potential measles exposure in Madison County, with public exposure locations at the Lowe’s on Eastern Bypass in Richmond and the nearby Baptist Urgent Care located within the University Shopping Center
Retired doctor Jeff Foxx practiced family medicine for 40 years but did not see many measles cases during that time
“When I first started, maybe a case or two, I knew about it because I was a kid and I got measles. But with the advent of the vaccine, we had essentially wiped out measles. It just basically didn’t occur. Now with the politicization of vaccines, with people decreasing vaccine use, we’ve seen an uptick and recurrence of measles,” Foxx said
As of Sunday, there have been29 confirmed cases of measles in Kentucky. All were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Of the 29 cases, 20 were under the age of 18
“If you’ve been exposed to it, you had measles or had the vaccine, your risk is very low, especially as an adult. And a child, if you hadn’t had a vaccine or hadn’t been exposed, you don’t have antibodies, you can’t fight the measles off,” Foxx said
According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), an unvaccinated, out-of-state traveler visited several establishments in Richmond and in Olive Hill on Aug. 24, 27 and 28
KDPH has identified the following measles public exposure locations, with a time that includes two hours after the case left the location:
- Marathon Gas Station, 424 W. Tom Hall Blvd., Olive Hill, KY, August 24 from 4:30 am to 7:00 am
- Lowe’s, 814 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, KY, August 24 from 1:15 pm to 3:45 pm
- Baptist Health Urgent Care, 648 University Shopping Center, Richmond, KY, August 27 from 8:45 am to 11:45 am
- Baptist Health Urgent Care, 648 University Shopping Center, Richmond, KY, August 28 from 8:30 am to 2:15 pm
Richmond resident Petra Clark was going to take her dogs to Lowe’s when she found out it was one of the locations the traveler had visited recently
“It’s definitely concerning, you know,” Clark said. “Absolutely not taking them in there now. I know they’re dog-friendly. But, yeah, we’re just going to continue our walk outdoors. It’s probably the safest.”
Despite the public concern, residents may not need to change their routine
“If you’ve been vaccinated or you know for sure that you had the measles and were exposed, you’re probably pretty much immune to measles,” Foxx said
Health officials say to be on the lookout for symptoms if you were at these locations during these times. The main symptom is a rash, but there are others
“Things like pink eye or conjunctivitis, nasal congestion. Some people get an irritated throat with spots in the throat called complex spots. Fever, feeling bad,” Foxx said
Foxx said if you think you have measles and want to get checked out, there may also be telehealth options to avoid exposing others to the risk
According to the Madison County Health Department, children younger than five are the most vulnerable, but anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk
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