Health officials share tips for preventing measles

PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – One person has been reported with measles in Frankfort, Kentucky, leaving Dr. Samia Turner concerned about the potential impacts of a virus that hasn’t been reported since 2023.

“Doctors that are my age and younger have not had to deal with this. I mean, we haven’t even trained really on how to deal with these diseases, so now they’re becoming more forefront and it’s pretty scary,” Turner said.

Turner is the health officer in Putnam County, West Virginia. She said a child recently dying from measles in Texas brings out concerns with a virus that is preventable with childhood vaccines.

“It’s a very serious problem, especially in states that have lowered their requirements for those childhood vaccinations,” Turner said.

Local officials say the adult with measles in Kentucky spent time at a gym after returning from an international trip. Turner said measles is very contagious and checking with your doctor before traveling is the best way to stay safe.

“It is spread by respiratory droplets, so if a person coughs or sneezes or anything and you’re in that room, you know you have that risk, so again it’s like we’re back to COVID days where if you are sick, wear a mask and stay home.”

Turner said the best way to check for measles is to get tested, but coughing, sneezing and fever are just some of the symptoms.

“The rash is kind of that hallmark symptom that you’re going to see, and a lot of times it’s sore throat and like inside the mouth you’ll see some rash, too.”

With concerns from people about the spread of measles to our region, Dr. Turner doesn’t want people to panic.

“You’re gonna be more concerned about someone that’s in the same space as you that is contagious. If you were, you know a state away, I wouldn’t be concerned about that,” she said.

Turner said if you come in contact with the measles, you should have immunity if all your vaccines are up to date.

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