“Anyone who attended the recovery on Feb. 18 may have been exposed to measles,” said state Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack. “Unvaccinated participants are encouraged to self-quarantine for 21 days and be vaccinated with the measles vaccine, which is safe and effective.”
Measles is a respiratory virus that is transmitted through the air. It is one of the most infectious pathogens on the planet, and it can be deadly, although a vaccine has long been available and required for children attending public schools across the country.
The state public health agency said it was working with the University of Asbury, the Jessamine County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the disease. and identify any additional cases. Asbury University administrators said they were working with health officials “to ensure that every precaution is taken to mitigate any further spread.”
As of Thursday, it’s unclear if there are more cases on campus or in the area. The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Early symptoms of measles may include fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by a rash three to five days after symptoms start.
“A large number of people who attended the rally from across Kentucky and other states and countries may have been exposed. An estimated 20,000 people attended the rally on the days the patient attended,” the CDC said Thursday, adding that it’s possible the virus could be spreading in connection with the event, “particularly among people not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.
“Everyone should make sure they are up to date on the vaccine (measles mumps rubella). Two doses of the vaccine (measles mumps rubella) are about 97% effective in preventing measles if exposed to the virus” , the CDC said.
Measles, in addition to being life-threatening, can weaken the immune system for months, leaving an individual vulnerable to other illnesses. The two-dose vaccination has been around for decades and is credited with dramatically reducing the prevalence of the virus in the United States.
But anti-vaccine sentiments have grown in recent years, bolstered by debates around the covid-19 pandemic. Some Republican state lawmakers, such as in Wisconsin and Georgia, have introduced measures to relax mandates to receive standard vaccinations for elementary school students, such as the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, reported The Post.