Lexington, KY – January 9, 2026

Health officials have identified potential measles case exposure in Lexington-Fayette County. An unvaccinated, out-of-state traveler stayed at the Hyatt Place in Hamburg from December 31, 2025 – January 2, 2026 and dined at the Hamburg Panera location on January 1.

This virus can cause high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes and a rash. Fevers may spike to more than 104°F, a rash may develop in 3 to 5 days after symptoms begin, with the illness resolving in 7 to 10 days. These symptoms usually appear 7 to 21 days after exposure. 

About 1 in 5 people in the U.S who get measles will be hospitalized, and 1 out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling, possibly leading to brain damage. Even with the best care, 1-3 in 1,000 people with measles will die. Children younger than 5 years of age are the most vulnerable, but anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk. 

Measles is very contagious. It can easily spread in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, up to two hours after the infected person left the room. 

The best protection against measles is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Unvaccinated persons, including those who have a medical or other exemption to vaccination, must be quarantined through day 21 after their most recent exposure. Unvaccinated individuals who receive their first dose of MMR vaccine within 72 hours from exposure may return to childcare, school, or work. If you have questions or concerns regarding your household’s vaccination status, please speak with a trusted healthcare provider, as they will have the most up to date information and be able to address any questions or concerns you may have. 

Persons positive for measles should stay away from others for four days after developing the rash AND until fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications, or at the direction of a physician. 

It is very important not to ignore the symptoms of measles. If anyone in your household develops an illness with a fever (101°F or more), cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without a rash, please consult your primary care practitioner to be evaluated immediately. For more information, you can contact the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department at 859-899-5222, or visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

Media Contact:
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
communications@lfchd.org

Lexington, KY – Updated December 23, 2025

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) has confirmed 32 cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, in Fayette County since October 3, 2025, with one new case reported since December 16. Twenty-nine of the cases involve school-age children, two cases are 4-year-old children, and one case is a 1-year-old child. Thirtye of the individuals were up to date on their vaccinations.

The cases are distributed as follows: 13 at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, 7 at Lafayette High School, 1 at Lansdowne Elementary School, 1 at Coventry Oak Elementary School, 1 at Lexington Christian Academy High School, 1 at Mary E. Britton Middle School, 1 at Morton Middle School, 1 at The Learning Center, 1 at Athens-Chilesburg Elementary School, 1 at Beaumont Middle School, 1 at James Lane Allen Elementary School, 1 at Maxwell Elementary School, and 1 at Wellington Kindercare. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread through coughing and sneezing, and it can be particularly severe for infants and those with chronic conditions.

Symptoms often begin like a common cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a nagging cough that resembles an allergy, but persists. After 1-2 weeks, the cough may worsen, becoming intense and uncontrollable, sometimes accompanied by a “whooping” sound when gasping for air, vomiting, or exhaustion. Caregivers are urged to monitor for these symptoms in themselves and their children and seek testing if pertussis is suspected.

“Vaccines are one of the major achievements of modern medicine, helping eradicate diseases.  Pertussis (aka whooping cough) is one of those vaccine preventable diseases.  We encourage families to get their children vaccinated and stay up to date on vaccines,” said Dr. Crystal Miller, Commissioner of Health for LFCHD. The pertussis vaccine is routine and required for school-age children, with a Tdap booster recommended for those aged 11 and older. Although effective, immunity can wane over time, making boosters critical for older children and adults. Those who have never received the Tdap vaccine should contact their primary care provider or call LFCHD at 859-288-2483 (Monday-Thursday) to check availability.

Children with pertussis symptoms should stay home from school and visit a healthcare provider for evaluation, even if vaccinated. Those diagnosed with probable or confirmed pertussis must remain out of school until completing antibiotic treatment. If someone in your household has pertussis, it’s recommended that other members of the household take a preventive antibiotic, called postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), to help stop the infection from spreading.

Central Kentucky caregivers are encouraged to ensure all household members are up to date on vaccinations, including boosters, and to be vigilant for pertussis symptoms.

For more information on pertussis, visit LFCHD.org/pertussis.

Media Contact:
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
communications@lfchd.org