Measles Alert: What You Need to Know After Recent Exposure in Kentucky

A measles scare has hit Northern Kentucky, and health officials are on high alert. The virus was spotted in an unvaccinated traveler who stayed at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Dry Ridge and visited the Ark Encounter on December 29. This has put thousands of people at risk. The good news? No new cases have popped up yet. But the bad news? The incubation period isn't over, so we're not out of the woods. Measles is a sneaky virus. It can take up to 21 days for symptoms to show up. So, if you were at the Ark Encounter on December 29, you should keep an eye on your health until January 19, 2026. And if you stayed at the Holiday Inn & Suites during those dates, you're in the clear if you're symptom-free by January 20. Measles is no joke. It's a highly contagious respiratory virus that can lead to serious health problems, like pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death, especially in young kids. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones? Get vaccinated. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is super effective and safe.The Ark Encounter had a lot of visitors that day. Around 2, 500 people could have been exposed to the virus. The park sent out emails to guests who bought tickets online, urging unvaccinated visitors to call their doctors. The hotel had about 300 guests during the exposure window. Health officials are keeping a close watch. As of January 13, no new cases have been reported in Kentucky. But Ohio has four cases, all in one household. All four kids were unvaccinated and had traveled to an area with a measles outbreak. If you think you've been exposed, don't panic. Call your doctor or the Northern Kentucky Health Department. Don't just show up at the clinic—you could spread the virus. If you're already showing symptoms, isolate immediately and call your doctor. Measles symptoms usually start 10 to 12 days after exposure but can take up to 21 days. Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks. The famous measles rash shows up a few days later, starting on the face and spreading down the body. The MMR vaccine is the best defense against measles. It's 97% effective and has been around for decades. Thanks to the vaccine, measles was eliminated in the U. S. in 2000. But it's making a comeback in some areas because of unvaccinated people.