Kentucky Records Highest Measles Cases in 35 Years as Officials Urge Parents to Protect Children
Health officials are urging parents and caregivers to make sure children are protected from measles by getting them vaccinated as Kentucky’s measles outbreak is the largest in 35 years.
Over four days, state health officials reported 15 new cases of measles in Christian, Owen, Todd, Trigg and Washington counties. The development comes as Kentucky has had the highest number of measles cases since 1991.
The outbreak reminds families of the need to keep children safe from a highly contagious disease that can have serious and sometimes life-threatening complications.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr Steven Stack said it was the largest measles outbreak in many years in the state and encouraged parents to make sure their children are immunized.
Measles is highly vaccine-preventable. The first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is usually given at 12 to 15 months of age, and a second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age.
Awareness and prompt medical advice are especially important during an outbreak, as symptoms may not occur for 8-12 days after exposure, health officials say.
This is also happening in the context of low childhood immunization coverage. The report shows Kentucky’s kindergarten vaccination rate is lower than the national average.
Since Aug. 13, there have been over 2,500 measles cases confirmed in the United States.
The outbreak highlights the importance of parents and caregivers ensuring children are up to date with routine immunizations and get medical advice if they are exposed or have symptoms.
Preventing children from getting ill and injured from preventable diseases is an important aspect of protecting their health and wellbeing.
