by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern
July 29, 2025

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 Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the two-dose measles vaccination series for children 12-15-months-old and then at 4-6-years-old. One infected person can infect 9 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 immunizations 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.” 

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

This content presents factual information about measles cases and vaccination recommendations without evident political framing or partisan language. It relies on expert statements and official health data, focusing on public health concerns rather than political debate, which aligns with a neutral, centrist perspective.