The Kentucky Department of Public Health recently confirmed a case of measles in central Kentucky, and a local physician suggests that residents should be aware of symptoms and how it can be prevented.

The infected individual is an adult who recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission, according to information from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website.

This is the first confirmed case of measles in a Kentucky resident since February 2023 and KDPH has issued a health alert with guidance for healthcare providers on handling suspected measles cases.

Since only one case has been reported in Kentucky, residents don’t have to be concerned about an outbreak, but should still err on the side of caution.

Dr. Suman Shekar, an internal medicine and pediatrics physician at The Medical Center, said vaccination is key in avoiding the illness.

“It is the first and foremost method of prevention,” she said. “Other ways to stay protected are washing your hands, staying away from school or work when sick and wearing a mask.”

The first dose of the vaccine is administered at 12-15 months and the second dose at age 4 through 6.

Shekar said the vaccine is over 95% effective in preventing measles and is “a very safe vaccine.”

But a decline in vaccination numbers is the reason why more cases are now being reported.

“This year and last year, that number has fallen to 90%,” she said. “That 5% decline has impacted measles coming back into the public.”

Last year, in Texas and New Mexico, around 281 cases were reported and Shekar said 40% of those were admitted to the hospital.

As of March 4 this year, there have been 159 measles cases in Texas alone, “which is a bit like an epidemic,” with one death of an unvaccinated child linked to the illness.

“Measles is a historic disease,” she said. “We had announced eradication in 2000, but since 2019, we have started seeing cases due to lower vaccination numbers. It has put public health officials on the alert.”

Measles is transferred through respiratory droplets in the air and can survive for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.

“It’s very contagious,” Shekar said. “Nine out of ten people exposed end up getting it.”

Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red and watery eyes. A rash that typically starts on the forehead, spreading downward toward the trunk, typically appears three to five days after the beginning of symptoms.

“A lot of times, it can be confused with the common cold or flu in the early stages,” she said.

White spots inside the mouth called Koplik spots can appear two to three days after symptoms begin.

Shekar said complications can include pneumonia and — although severe cases are rare —  measles can also cause encephalitis and even death.

Young children are primarily at risk for serious health complications, as well as pregnant women and the elderly.

A primary care doctor can test for measles with an RNA PCR swab test.

For more information, visit chfs.ky.gov.