Health officials with the Barren River Health District and the Kentucky Department for Public Health have announced a confirmed case of measles identified in a student at Western Kentucky University (WKU). The student, who is unvaccinated, had recent international travel where they are presumed to have been exposed to measles.
The student attended several classes and activities on campus and in the local community while infectious with measles on August 28, 29 and 30th. No further information about the individual will be released due to privacy concerns.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that is spread through the air. Early symptoms of measles begin 8-12 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes. The characteristic measles rash typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin, usually on the face before spreading down to the rest of the body.
Individuals who were at the following locations during the dates and times listed may have been exposed to the measles virus:
- The Commons at Helm Library (WKU)
- 1906 College Heights Blvd #11067, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Wednesday August 28, 2024, (7:45 am – 10:00 am; 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm)
- Thursday August 29, 2024, (7:45 am – 10:00 am)
- Friday August 30, 2024, (7:45 am – 10:00 am)
- WKU student union Starbucks
- 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Wednesday August 28, 2024, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Simply Ramen restaurant trivia night
- 801 Campbell Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42014
- Thursday August 29, 2024, (7:00 pm – 11:00 pm)
Measles is very contagious. Individuals who were exposed and are unvaccinated are encouraged to quarantine for 21 days after their exposure and contact their healthcare provider immediately if they develop symptoms. It is important to call the health care facility to make them aware of your measles exposure and symptoms prior to entering so that others are not exposed.
In the United States, the first dose of measles vaccine is routinely administered in combination with mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to children at age 12 months through 15 months. A second MMR dose is routinely administered at age 4 through 6 years. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles. Recent data released from CDC indicates that MMR vaccine coverage among Kentucky kindergarteners is among the lowest in the nation and much lower than the Healthy People 2030 target of 95 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been several outbreaks of measles this year linked to individuals with international travel.
Earlier this year, the CDC issued a health advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in measles cases occurring globally and in the