US EditionKentucky Reports First Measles Case of 2026
The unvaccinated Jessamine County case linked to an infectious traveler has sparked community exposure investigations while vaccination remains 97% effective, health officials said.
- The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said Thursday a Jessamine County resident tested positive for measles after exposure to an infectious out-of-state traveler in Fayette County between Dec. 31, 2025 and Jan. 2, 2026.
- Both the infected resident and the out-of-state traveler are unvaccinated, according to the release, while Kentucky measles vaccination rate among children is about 6% below the national average.
- State and local health departments are contacting people they believe were exposed, while Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langefeld advised monitoring symptoms for 21 days; two MMR vaccine doses provide 97% protection.
- Health officials said the risk to the broader public remains low and urged families and communities to vaccinate while anyone with symptoms should contact their health care provider.
- This case is separate from Grant County exposures in late December and is not linked to a different out-of-state visitor; Dr. Steven Stack said measles has resurged in recent years.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Unvaccinated Kentuckian has measles in first known case of 2026
Health officials urge Kentuckians to talk to their health care provider about getting the the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.(Getty Images)An unvaccinated Kentuckian in Jessamine County has contracted measles, marking the state’s first known case of 2026, health officials announced Thursday. The person was exposed to the highly contagious disease by an out-of-state traveler in Fayette County between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, the Cabinet for…
Kentucky reports first positive measles case in 2026 - WNKY News 40 Television
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Health officials have announced the first positive measles case of 2026 in Kentucky, which has been confirmed in Jessamine County. According to a release by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Kentucky Department for Public Health made the announcement Thursday, Jan. 15, stating an unvaccinated Jessamine County resident has tested positive for the virus. This is the first confirmed case in a Kentucky resident since J…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 85% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
