An unvaccinated attendee at a 12-day mass church service at Asbury University in Kentucky has tested positive for measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), a government public health organization, has issued an alert. She advises unvaccinated people to quarantine for three weeks.
As many as 20,000 people may have contracted measles during the Asbury Revival. Between 8 and 19 February, an uninterrupted church service took place in the university church after a number of students spontaneously extended a regular meeting. The encounter attracted thousands of people from across the country.
The authorities fear an outbreak because a large proportion of the visitors were unvaccinated.
Highly contagious
The measles virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through the air. Early symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and cold, often followed by a skin rash. The sick attendee at the Wilmore, Kentucky, church service had no symptoms when he attended the meeting.
The virus weakens the immune system, making patients more susceptible to other illnesses. In severe cases, the disease can cause pneumonia or brain inflammation. A vaccine against measles is up to 97 percent protective.
Asbury University is working with local health organizations to prevent further spread. On February 24, the rector released a statement explaining that the church service has come to an end. He says nothing about a possible connection with the measles warning.
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