LOUISVILLE, Ky. — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there have been nearly two dozen cases of measles in the U.S. since December. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services said there are no reported cases in Kentucky, but on Feb. 5, the Ohio Department of Health warned that some people who traveled through the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport may have been exposed.

What You Need To Know

  • People who traveled through the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky airport on Jan. 27 or Jan. 29  may have been exposed to the measles

  • Dr. Mark Burns at UofL Health said white spots in the mouth and a rash are signs of the virus

  • The Measles vaccines is 97% effective at helping people avoid the virus, according to Dr. Burns

  • Kentucky Health Officals said there are no confirmed cases of the measles in the state 

A doctor at UofL Health said it is not time for Kentuckians to be alarmed, but passengers on the flight should be more concerned.

“Because of the degree of being contagious, it is a concern particular people who were on the same flight and is in the same space as the person who had the measles,” said Dr. Mark Burns, assistant professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at UofL Health.

The Ohio Department of Health said if you were traveling at the airport on Jan. 27, 2024 5-9 p.m., or Jan. 29, 2024 8:30- 11:30 p.m.  you could have been exposed. Burns said the incubation period is a matter of days and there are some notable symptoms. 

“The distinctive thing is ... the white spots in the mouth called the Koplik spots and then the actual rash itself are very distinctive for measles,” he said.

According to Dr. Burns, outbreaks like this one are happening more because of the debate around vaccines. 

“When you don’t get someone vaccinated, they’re more prone to this disease and quite honestly we had measles under very good control, under wraps and everything but it wasn’t until recently when, again, most people weren’t getting their children vaccinated with this, that we’re actually starting to see small outbreaks,” he said.

The most vulnerable people are pregnant women, the very young, the very old and immunocompromised.

If you think you might have the virus, contact your health provider.

“Everyone should be vaccinated because most everyone has had the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine. But still, they just continue to follow up with their primary care provider and also make note of their symptoms,” Dr. Burns said.

Dr. Burns said the measles vaccine is 97% effective at helping people avoid contracting the virus.

The Ohio Department of Health and Dr. Burns said the risk is lower for those who are vaccinated.

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