An unvaccinated Kentuckian in Jessamine County has contracted measles, marking the state’s first known case of 2026, health officials announced Thursday.  The person was exposed to the highly contagious disease by an out-of-state traveler in Fayette County between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services said. This is the first case in a Kentuckian since July 2025, the cabinet said.  Dr. Steven Stack, the secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, in his Frankfort office, June 13, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd) “Measles is a serious and contagious virus that has seen a resurgence in recent years,” Dr. Steven Stack, the cabinet secretary, said in a statement. “We continue to urge families to take these risks seriously and to protect themselves and their communities by getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.” Public health officials said they are investigating any additional exposures related to this case and contacting people who they believe were exposed. The state recently reported another potential exposure around Dec. 28-30 in Grant County.  “People who may have been exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after potential exposure,” Dr. John Langefeld, Kentucky Department for Public Health Commissioner, said in a statement. “Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash. If you believe that you have been exposed to measles and you have symptoms, please call your health care provider.” According to the cabinet, there is a low risk to the general public at this time. Still, Stack and Langefeld said anyone can talk to their health care provider about the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective against measles.  Measles spreads through the air from coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One infected person can infect 9 in 10 unprotected people around them, the CDC says.  “Health officials encourage good health habits to prevent transmission of measles and other contagious illnesses, such as washing hands often with soap and warm water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying at home from work or school when sick,” the cabinet said.  GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBE The post Unvaccinated Kentuckian has measles in first known case of 2026 appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less