The Kentucky Department for Public Health is warning the public about possible exposure to measles at several locations visited by an “unvaccinated, out-of-state traveler” this week
The department issued the alert Saturday about potential exposures in Richmond and Olive Hill on Aug. 24, 27 and 28
People who visited the following locations may have been exposed, the department said:
Lowe’s on the Eastern Bypass in Richmond, between 1:15 and 3:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24
Baptist Health Urgent Care, 648 University Shopping Center in Richmond, between 8:45 and 11:45 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, and between 8:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28
Marathon Gas Station, Tom Hall Boulevard, Olive Hill, 4:30 to 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24
Advertisement
Kentucky is in the midst of the largest measles outbreak in at least 15 years
As of Friday, there have been29 confirmed cases and two hospitalizations in Kentucky so far this year, 25 of which were in July and August
Of those, 14 were reported in Christian County, five in Washington County, three in Trigg County and one each in Caldwell, Owen and Todd counties
Four cases were confirmed in Jessamine County in January
Twenty of the cases reported this year are among children 17 and younger, according to the Department for Public Health
“Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Immunization against measles comes through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
Advertisement
People who think they may have been exposed should find out whether they have had the MMR vaccine
For 21 days after exposure, they should keep an eye out for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, rash and red, watery eyes
Anyone who develops symptoms or has questions should call their doctor or their local health department, the Kentucky Department for Public Health said
