Alaska public health officials urge residents to be aware of potential health risk

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Public health officials in Alaska are urging residents to be aware of a potential public health risk.

On February 17 and 18, an individual infected with measles attended a large religious gathering at Asbury University in Kentucky, and a number of people at that event may have been exposed. Officials from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are now saying, as of Friday afternoon, about 20,000 people may have been exposed.

It is unclear if anyone from Alaska attended, and if someone who is not fully vaccinated for measles did, that person is advised to isolate and monitor for symptoms of the virus.

Symptoms can begin up to 10 days after exposure, and include fever, cough, runny nose, pink eye, and eventually an uncomfortable rash, which starts at the face before spreading downward.

Measles can lead to life-threatening illness including pneumonia and encephalitis.

It is recommended that if you were exposed and exhibit symptoms of measles, that you contact your local or state health department as soon as possible.

Measles cases have been increasing in the U.S. during the COVID19 pandemic among children not fully vaccinated. Vaccination rates have also been falling globally over the same period.

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