FORT CAMPBELL, KY. (WKRN) — Public health professors at Austin Peay State University are keeping a close eye on measles numbers both in Tennessee and Kentucky.
In addition to the 11 cases this year in Tennessee, their big concern is in Kentucky, which has seen 211 cases. Right now, their biggest area of concern is in and around Fort Campbell.
“I mean, we had this eliminated back in 2000, so to see the resurgence of it now it’s kind of alarming for us,” said Dr. Heather Tillewein, assistant professor of health and human performance. “The counties of Christian County, Trigg County, those cluster counties in that area are where we’re seeing the highest cases of measles outbreaks.”
News 2 asked Dr. Tillewein what that meant for those living on base.
“It means that they should probably expect some high rates of measles outbreaks there. The DOD does vaccinate our active service members with the measles, but it’s those within their family units that may not be vaccinated and will be the ones most susceptible to getting measles,” she explained.
According to Tillewein, something unique about the cases is that roughly half of them have been in people 18 and older. She also noted that neither state has herd immunity, which would require a 95% vaccination rate.
“The fact that we’re seeing them in this large age range is kind of alarming,” she expressed. “With the measles, some people won’t have symptoms for seven [to] 14 days after the initial infection. So they may assume that since they don’t have any symptoms, that they don’t have measles, and they’re coming in contact with people that could potentially be susceptible to it.”
Symptoms to look out for include a high fever, runny nose, raised bumps, and one symptom that might surprise you—pink eye.
Tillewein urged anyone with symptoms to stay home and contact their doctor immediately.
WKRN is a Clarksville Now news partner.