Kentucky measles case linked to spiritual revival event

CNN
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Health officials are warning that people who attended the week-long spiritual revival event in Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, on February 18, may have been exposed to measles.

On Friday, the Kentucky Department of Public Health announced a confirmed case of measles in a resident of Jessamine County, who had not been vaccinated against the disease. The person attended the so-called “Asbury Revival” last Saturday, which took place southwest of Lexington, according to a statement from the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

No further information about the individual has been released ‘for reasons of confidentiality’, but Kentucky Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack is encouraging those who are not vaccinated to self-quarantine during 21 days, then get vaccinated.

The department said it is actively working with the University of Asbury, the Jessamine County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the matter. CNN has reached out to Asbury University for comment.

For more than three weeks, worshipers came from across the country for the spontaneous event, lining up outside the college’s main chapel for the opportunity to participate in the song, prayer and discussion that took place at inside, as CNN previously reported. The event began on February 8 and ended on February 23, according to the CNN affiliate WTVQand it hosted 50,000 to 70,000 people, CNN affiliate WKYT reported.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious respiratory virus that spreads through the air. The Kentucky Department of Public Health said early symptoms of measles are typical of many upper respiratory illnesses and continue with the characteristic rash three to five days after symptoms appear. It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children, according to the CDC. In regards to One out of five unvaccinated people in the United States who catch measles are hospitalized, according to the CDC.

The disease can be prevented with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, according to the CDC. Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles.

“If you have been exposed on the University of Asbury campus and develop symptoms, whether or not they have been previously vaccinated, please isolate yourself from others and call your doctor, emergency care or the emergency department to get you tested,” Dr Stack said. “Please do not arrive at a healthcare facility unannounced so that others are not exposed.”

This is the third confirmed measles case in Kentucky in the past three months. The first case was reported in December 2022 and it was linked to an outbreak in Ohio, while the second case was reported in Powell County. The cases were investigated and none posed a public health threat, the Kentucky Department of Public Health said.