Louisville reports another case of measles, bringing total cases in Kentucky to 14

By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern

Louisville has confirmed a second case of the highly contagious measles, bringing the total cases in Kentucky to 14.

Dr. Kris Bryant, the associate medical director at the Louisville health department and a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Norton Children’s Hospital, said the latest patient is “a known contact” with the city’s first case of 2025, which was reported in mid-July.

“This individual has been in quarantine since becoming aware of their exposure, and so there are no new public exposures as a result of this case,” Bryant said during a Tuesday press conference.

The city’s latest case, which health officials confirmed Monday, is unrelated to an outbreak in central Kentucky, she said. An outbreak is defined as three or more related cases.

Of the 14 cases across Kentucky, 13 were in unvaccinated individuals and one was in a person who only received part of the recommended vaccine series, Bryant said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a two-dose measles vaccination series for children. The two-dose MMR vaccine is recommended for children at 12 to 15 months old, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. One infected person can infect nine in 10 unprotected people around them, the CDC says, making measles extremely contagious. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.

Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and death. Three people have died from measles in the United States in 2025, according to the CDC.

Measles has made a comeback in Kentucky and beyond as routine vaccinations have declined. A school immunization survey for the 2024-2025 school year shows that about 87% of Kentucky kindergarteners are fully vaccinated against measles, which is lower than the national average of 93%.

“We encourage everyone to protect themselves with vaccination,” Bryant said. “If you are a parent with a child heading back to school, please make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or primary care provider.”