Louisville reports measles case in child

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced a confirmed measles case in a child who traveled internationally.

Louisville confirms first measles case in Jefferson County

In a recent news conference, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced that a child in Jefferson County has tested positive for measles. The child contracted the virus after traveling to a country facing an outbreak. This case is notable as it marks the first recorded measles case in Jefferson County and the 13th statewide for 2025. Local health officials are actively tracing contacts to identify others who may have been exposed. Simpson Women's and Children's Hospital confirmed the child's diagnosis, with tests reported back shortly after medical evaluation. The child's vaccination status remains unknown at this time. Mayor Greenberg emphasized the importance of vaccination, urging residents to check their immunization status to help prevent further outbreaks. The mayor noted that the current case does not link to other ongoing cases in Kentucky, where most affected individuals are unvaccinated.

This confirmation of measles in Jefferson County is alarming because it highlights both the risk of international travel in spreading infectious diseases and the declining vaccination rates among school-age children. With only 86.9% of Kentucky kindergarteners fully vaccinated, this raises serious public health concerns. Mayor Greenberg's call for vaccinations underscores the need for increased public health efforts to combat misinformation and improve vaccine uptake.

Highlights

Vaccination remains the key to halting the spread of measles and protecting the community.