Around 20,000 people who attended a large religious gathering in Kentucky last month may have been exposed to measles, and under-vaccinated attendees should be quarantined and monitored for 21 days, according to a Health Alert Network Advisory issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.
On February 24, the Kentucky Department of Public Health detected a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual, prompting the CDC alert to doctors and public health officials.
Measles Spread
As previously reported by CNN, the individual had a history of recent overseas travel and attended a huge religious gathering on February 17 and 18 at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Measles is a viral respiratory infection that spreads through the air. It is one of the most contagious viruses on the globe, and it can be fatal, despite the fact that a vaccine has long been available and is mandated for all students attending public schools in the United States.
The state public health officials stated that it is collaborating with Asbury University, the Jessamine County Health Department, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the disease’s spread and identify any additional cases. Administrators at Asbury University claimed that they are working with health regulators “to ensure that all precautions are taken to mitigate any future spread.”
Read more: Moms who catch flu during pregnancy twice likely to give birth to babies with heart defects
Signs And Symptoms
Measles symptoms, which include a cough, fever, and rash, usually appear two weeks after exposure. Individuals might be contagious for up to four days before developing a rash.
The virus is one of the most easily transmitted infections, with as many as 9 out of 10 susceptible contacts of infectious cases contracting it. The vaccine is anticipated to be 97% effective in inoculated people exposed to the virus.