Published: September 17, 2026

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Kentucky is in the middle of its largest measles outbreak in more than three decades, and health officials in Southern Indiana are tracking cases of their own. This is the time for parents to check their child’s vaccination status and be on the lookout for possible exposures and symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, but families can take steps to protect themselves. Vaccination provides the best protection, and parents should call their child’s healthcare provider promptly if they suspect an exposure.

“It’s OK to have questions. You have questions — your pediatrician has answers,” said Kristina K. Bryant, M.D., pediatric infectious diseases specialist with Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases. “It’s a little shocking to see this ever-growing number of measles cases, because these are preventable. We have a vaccine that has been thoroughly studied, and two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles.”

If you suspect that your child has been exposed to measles or is showing symptoms of measles, call ahead as a safety precaution before going to a provider’s office such as Norton Children’s Medical Group pediatricians, a Norton Immediate Care Center, a Norton Prompt Care clinic or Norton Children’s Emergency Department. If your child is 2 or older, you can talk to a provider remotely using Norton Children’s eCare.

Where are the outbreaks?

Kentucky, Indiana and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) track the location of measles outbreaks. Understand the exposure risk in your community or before traveling:

• Kentucky Department for Public Health
• Indiana Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Why are measles cases increasing?

The short answer, according to Dr. Bryant, is falling childhood vaccination rates.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning the virus was no longer spreading continuously within the country.

“Most parents have not seen a case of measles, because our immunization program has been so successful,” Dr. Bryant said, noting that this can lead some parents to weigh a disease they’ve never witnessed against a vaccine they have questions about.

Her message to families: The measles vaccine has a strong safety record, while a measles infection carries real risks for children.

Kentucky’s measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rate for kindergartners has fallen to 90%, short of the roughly 95% threshold public health experts say is needed to keep the virus from spreading through a community. In some communities, rates are even lower. When measles vaccination rates dip in a region, it takes only one case — often introduced by an unvaccinated traveler — to spark an outbreak among the people who aren’t protected.

Why measles spreads so easily

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. It spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks, and the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after that person has left a room. If one person has measles, up to 9 in 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed to that individual will become infected.

Symptoms parents should watch for

Early measles symptoms usually appear eight to 12 days after exposure, though it can take up to 21 days, and include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

A rash typically follows three to five days later, usually starting on the face and spreading down the body.

Why measles can be especially serious for young children

Children younger than 5 are more likely to develop severe or complicated measles infections, including pneumonia and, less commonly, brain swelling (encephalitis) or long-term neurological damage. According to the CDC, nearly a third of children under 5 who get measles are hospitalized, and 1 to 3 of every 1,000 infected children die from complications. Measles infection also can weaken a child’s immune system for months to years afterward, leaving them more vulnerable to other infections.

Babies younger than 12 months are too young for the routine MMR vaccine schedule, which is part of why widespread vaccination among older children and adults matters — it helps protect infants who can’t yet be vaccinated.

How to confirm your child is up to date

The single most protective step a family can take is confirming that their child has had both recommended doses of the MMR vaccine — the first between ages 12 months and 15 months, and the second between ages 4 and 6 years. The second dose of MMR may be given as soon as 28 days after the first, providing earlier protection when measles is spreading.

If your child is a Norton Children’s patient, you can log in to their Norton MyChart account using proxy access to review their immunization history, including MMR doses.

If your child isn’t up to date or you’re not sure, contact your pediatrician. Don’t guess. Reach out to your child’s pediatrician so the provider can recommend an appropriate vaccination plan — including whether an earlier or additional dose makes sense given current activity in the region. If you don’t have a pediatrician, you can find one close to home or work.

Families also can check state immunization registries: the Kentucky Immunization Registry Public Portal or MyVaxIndiana. Records may be incomplete for adults.

Traveling? A few extra precautions

Families with upcoming travel — whether internationally or to a part of the U.S. with an active outbreak — should talk with their pediatrician before the trip. Infants as young as 6 months can receive an early MMR dose before international travel or travel to community with ongoing measles transmission; they’ll still need the two routine doses on the usual schedule. Anyone age 12 months or older traveling internationally should have two documented MMR doses, spaced at least 28 days apart.

What to do after a possible exposure

If you think your child may have been exposed to measles — for example, through a known case at school, daycare or in the community — don’t wait for symptoms to appear before reaching out for guidance.

Call before you go anywhere for care. This is one of the most important things a family can do. If you suspect your child has measles or has been exposed and needs an in-person evaluation, call your healthcare provider before you arrive — don’t just walk in. Calling ahead gives the care team time to prepare an isolation room and take precautions that protect other patients and families in the waiting area, including infants, pregnant women and children with weakened immune systems who are most vulnerable to severe illness.

Norton Children’s eCare is available for an initial evaluation. Norton Children’s eCare offers patients 2 and older virtual visits with a provider, day or night, and can be a good first step to talk through your child’s vaccination status, exposure timeline and next steps, without leaving home. If your child needs to be seen or tested in person, the provider can help direct you to the right next step.

Emergency warning signs: When to call 911

Most children with measles can be managed with rest, fluids and monitoring at home under a provider’s guidance. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if your child develops:

• Difficulty breathing or fast, labored breathing
• A stiff neck, severe headache or unusual drowsiness or confusion
• A seizure
• Signs of dehydration, such as no urination for eight hours, no tears when crying, or a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on the top of an infant’s skull
• A high fever that won’t come down, especially with a change in alertness

Call ahead if possible so the receiving facility can prepare for a patient with suspected measles.

What about school or childcare?

If your child is diagnosed with measles or is known to have been exposed and isn’t fully vaccinated, expect your pediatrician and local health department to be involved in decisions about when it’s safe to return to school or childcare. People with measles generally are considered contagious from about four days before the rash appears until four days after. Unvaccinated children who’ve been exposed may need to stay home for a longer monitoring period. Local health departments typically provide specific timelines based on vaccination status and exposure details, so check with your child’s school, daycare and the health department for guidance specific to your situation.