FLORENCE, Ky. — Following the confirmation of a case of measles in Frankfort, health officials urged the importance of getting vaccinated against the virus, which was previously considered eradicated in the U.S.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Franklin County Health Department confirmed a case of measles in an adult, who had recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission.

The departments are now working to contact people who may have been exposed after that person attended a Planet Fitness in Frankfort on Feb. 17 from about 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been three measles outbreaks in the U.S. in 2025, including ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Texas officials announced the death of an unvaccinated child related to a measles outbreak this week, which is the first measles-related death reported in the U.S. since 2015. 

Jennifer Mooney, Northern Kentucky Health Department district director of health, said she's now on alert. 

“Twenty-five years ago, measles was eliminated," Mooney said. "We’re starting to see it creep back up on the radar again, which is a shame because it’s pretty much 100% preventable. As we continue to see these cases pop up, it does make you concerned about what this means for the rest of the community.”

Measles is a contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. The virus spreads through the air and can survive for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. 

The first dose of measles vaccine is routinely administered to children ages 12 months to 15 months, with a second dose at ages 4 through 6. According to the CDC, vaccine coverage among Kentucky kindergartners is only 90%, lower than the national average.

"Now, as we’re starting to see these cases creep up, it does make you wonder where people are potentially getting their information," Mooney said. 

She said her recommendation is to trust medical professionals.

Those who were exposed to the measles virus and are unvaccinated should quarantine for 21 days after their exposure and contact their health care provider immediately if they develop symptoms.