According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 20,000 people attended a large religious gathering in Kentucky on the same day as residents who contracted measles last month, making contacts that may have exposed them to the highly contagious virus. It is said that there is a person Across multiple states and countries.
The CDC is urging doctors to “be on alert for measles symptoms” among those attending gatherings and is actively working with Kentucky officials to look for additional cases.
CDC spokesperson Scott Polley said in a statement, “In association with this event, community transmission of measles has occurred, particularly among unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals. It may occur.
Polley said government agencies are urging unvaccinated people who may have been exposed at the Asbury University rally to contact their doctors and get vaccinated.
Vaccine or immune globulin can be given next exposure To unvaccinated or poorly vaccinated people to fend off the virus.
CDC plea follows weeks of religious ‘revival’ gatherings hosted by Asbury University in Kentucky. Thousands flocked to Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, far outnumbering the town’s population of about 6,000.
CBS Affiliate WKYT report The spontaneous gathering began on February 8 after some students decided to stay in the Christian Liberal Arts College’s chapel after scheduled services ended. Rumors of the event circulated on social media, eventually drawing him from 50,000 to 70,000, the station reported.
university says In the past It hosts multiple “great revivals,” which are usually characterized by a series of consecutive religious services held over several days.
The university has said it has no plans to host or sponsor additional “spill” services at this time.
State officials first confirm they have opened investigation into Asbury measles case last month Unvaccinated residents of Jessamine County, including Asbury College.
This case is the third case diagnosed in Kentucky over several months, including another case associated with a recent large outbreak in Ohio. Nationally, the CDC To tell A total of three measles cases were reported in two regions this year.
Asbury University Said The person attended religious services before developing measles symptoms. However, the CDC said the person was contagious as of February 17 and he was on campus on the 18th.
measles symptoms – includes cough, fever and rash – usually develops about two weeks after a person is exposed. A person can be infected for up to four days before the rash appears.
The virus is considered one of the most contagious diseases, with 9 out of 10 susceptible contacts of contagious cases infected with the virus.Vaccines for immunized people exposed to the virus Presumed It is about 97% effective.
Asbury University students are required to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, the CBS Affiliate WKYT. report.
Before vaccines became widespread in the 1960s, on average Approximately 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations are caused by viruses each year.terrible complications Includes brain swelling and pneumonia.
The Jessamine County Health Department said Friday it plans to set up a measles vaccine clinic. Possible outbreak.
In a statement, the Kentucky Department of Public Health said, “Recent data released by the CDC show that Kentucky’s MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarten children is among the lowest in the nation.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asbury-university-revival-potential-measles-exposure-20000-people/ CDC says 20,000 may have been exposed to measles in religious revival at Asbury University