When I wrote about Kentucky’s growing measles outbreak last month, the state had reported 29 cases across seven counties. By Friday morning, that statewide count had climbed to 67, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The number requires a little context. Four cases in Jessamine County were reported earlier this year and are not connected to the current outbreak. That puts the current outbreak total at 63 cases. The state’s dashboard, updated at 9 a.m. Friday, showed seven hospitalizations and no deaths.
The dashboard’s county, age, vaccination-status and illness-onset breakdowns cover all 67 cases reported this year, including the four Jessamine County cases not tied to the current outbreak.
Cases Are Highest in Christian County
Christian County continues to have the highest case count, with 27. The dashboard lists 11 cases among children younger than 5, 28 among people ages 5 through 17, and 28 among adults 18 and older. That means more than half of Kentucky’s reported cases this year have been in children and teens.
The dashboard lists the vaccination status of 65 cases as “unknown/unvaccinated,” a combined category that doesn’t show how many of those people were known to be unvaccinated. One case involved a person who had received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and another involved someone who had received two or more doses.
The dashboard also tracks cases by illness-onset date. It lists 4 cases with onset in January, 9 in July, 34 in August and 20 so far in September.
What to Do After a Possible Measles Exposure
Because measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air, Kentucky health officials advise people who think they may have been exposed to contact their health care provider or local health department. Anyone who develops symptoms should call a provider before going to a clinic or emergency room.
KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system
More From WBKR-FM
