HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Health Department announced that as of the beginning of September, there are 14 confirmed cases of measles in the county amid a local outbreak that has spread to surrounding counties.

“The Christian County Health Department continues to work closely with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and local partners as we continue to monitor the situation, complete case investigations, provide MMR vaccines, and work to notify individuals who have potentially been exposed to measles,” said a statement from CCHD on Sept. 1.

On Aug. 13, the health department first announced that there was a confirmed local case with multiple community exposures that officials referred to as an outbreak. Ten confirmed cases of the measles were reported by the health department in Christian County by Aug. 17.

Three hospitalizations have occurred so far, according to the public health measles dashboard. All of the cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals dispersed in the following age groups.

<5 years of age8
5-17 years of age16
18+ years of age14

Throughout Kentucky, 34 cases were reported in July and August, with 26 confirmed cases in August alone. The majority of cases remain in Christian County, with the outbreak spreading to Todd, Trigg, Washington, Jessamine, Barren, Caldwell, and Owen Counties in Kentucky. All of these additional counties each have six or fewer cases.

The individual at the start of the outbreak in Christian County was not vaccinated against measles and is believed to have been exposed through contact with an out-of-state visitor from a community with an ongoing measles outbreak, according to a previous news release from the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Early symptoms of measles begin 8 to 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.

Find vaccine information and more about the measles on the Christian County Health Department website.

| NEWS TIPS: Have a story to share? Email news tips to news@christiancountynow.com