Health officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Franklin County Health Department announced a confirmed case of measles identified in an adult Kentucky resident.
The resident had recently traveled internationally to an area where measles is still being transmitted.
Kentucky health officials are working to identify and contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. The resident went to a fitness center in Frankfort, Kentucky, while infected. Individuals who were at the following location during the date and time listed could have been exposed:
• Planet Fitness at 101 Allen Way in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Monday, February 17 (9 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.).
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can lead to serious health complications, particularly in young children. The measles virus spreads through the air and can survive for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
Measles symptoms begin 8-12 days after exposure and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes. The characteristic measles rash appears three to five days after symptoms start, usually on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
“Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world,” stated KDPH Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.
“Fortunately, measles can be prevented with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is both safe and effective. Vaccines are an important tool for keeping children and adults safe and healthy.
The first dose of measles vaccine is routinely administered in combination with mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to children aged 12 to 15 months, followed by a second dose at ages 4 to 6.
According to recent CDC estimates, MMR vaccine coverage among Kentucky kindergartners is only 90%, which is lower than the national average.
Individuals who have not been immunized against the measles virus should quarantine for 21 days after exposure and contact their health care provider as soon as symptoms appear.
“If you have been exposed to measles are going to see a health care practitioner, it is important to call the facility to make them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms prior to entering so that others are not exposed,” according to Dr. Stack.
Kentucky’s measles case comes amid a significant increase in cases of measles both globally and in the United States.
According to the CDC, there have been three measles outbreaks in the United States in 2025, with ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. On Wednesday, Texas health officials announced the death of an unvaccinated child as a result of the measles outbreak, the first measles-related death in the United States since 2015.
The last confirmed case of measles in Kentucky occurred in February 2023.
If you have questions or concerns about a potential measles exposure, contact your health care provider or Franklin County Health Department at 502-564-7647.
