Kentucky measles outbreak reaches 25 current cases across seven counties

Kentucky reported one new measles case on Thursday, Aug. 27, bringing the number of current cases to 25 and the 2026 year-to-date total to 29, according to the state measles dashboard and independent Kentucky reporting.

Cases have been identified in seven counties: Caldwell, Christian, Jessamine, Owen, Todd, Trigg and Washington. The update comes as families prepare for the school year and health officials continue urging residents to check vaccination records and respond quickly after possible exposure.

Seven counties have reported cases

The reported county totals are:

Christian County: 14
Washington County: 5
Jessamine County: 4
Trigg County: 3
Caldwell County: 1
Owen County: 1
Todd County: 1

Those county totals add up to the 29 measles cases reported in Kentucky in 2026. The state distinguishes between the year-to-date total and cases that were still current; the current figure was 25 in the Aug. 27 update.

State data show that all 29 year-to-date cases were among people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. That does not mean every person with an unknown status was confirmed to be unvaccinated.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health says its measles dashboard is updated daily Monday through Friday, except on state holidays. The department’s general measles information page was dated Aug. 24, while the case-count update reported here came Aug. 27.

What to do after a possible exposure

Kentucky maintains a public-exposure chart for locations where people may have encountered measles but individual contacts could not be identified. The chart provides a location, address and date and time of possible exposure when those details are known. It includes up to two hours after a case left the location.

The official chart available for this update was last updated Aug. 17, 2026. Residents should check the current state notice because locations and dates may be added or changed.

Anyone who visited a listed location should check written records for a measles-containing vaccine, such as the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. Other evidence of immunity can include medical documentation of a past measles infection or laboratory evidence of immunity. The state also considers people born before 1957 immune.

Exposed residents should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after the exposure. They should contact a health-care provider or local health department promptly if symptoms develop or if they have questions about immunity.

Vaccination records may be available through Kentucky’s Immunization Registry Public Portal, a health-care provider or, in some cases, the K-12 school a person previously attended.

Call before going to a clinic or emergency room

Measles symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. The rash often begins on the face and spreads down the body.

Measles spreads through the air and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia. In rare cases, it can cause swelling of the brain or death. Infants, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.

Anyone who develops symptoms or believes they may have measles should call a health-care provider or local health department before arriving. People planning to visit a doctor’s office or emergency department should call ahead and explain their symptoms or exposure so staff can take precautions.

Schools, child care and other high-risk settings

People who have been exposed and are not immune may be advised to stay away from settings where they could expose vulnerable people, including schools, child-care facilities and hospitals. Kentucky guidance says people who are not immune should consider staying home or avoiding high-risk settings and should follow instructions from their health-care provider or local health department before returning.

The routine MMR schedule calls for a first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Families with missing or uncertain records should discuss next steps with a health-care provider rather than assume they are protected.

MMR vaccination remains the primary prevention measure. Residents should use the current state exposure notice, check their records and contact a provider or local health department promptly if they may have been exposed or develop symptoms.

Sources

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