Nearly 20,000 Exposed to Measles at Asbury Revival Event
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Health Advisory after confirming a measles case that may have exposed nearly 20,000 people at last month’s revival event at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
The advisory states that on February 24, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) confirmed a case of measles identified in an unvaccinated Jessamine County resident. The resident attended Asbury University’s services in Hughes Auditorium on February 18, while the university drew worldwide attention during its 13-day marathon of worship and revival.
The CDC says the number of those attending the revival who may have been exposed is undetermined.
However, officials estimate that around 20,000 people attended the revival, traveling from around the U.S. and other countries, during February 17-18. “Anyone who attended the revival on February 18 may have been exposed to measles,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), in a news release.
Members of the public who attended the services Saturday, February 18, who are not fully vaccinated against measles should quarantine for 21 days, per CDC guidelines, and contact their primary care physician if symptoms appear.
Asbury University said in a public statement the infected person attended the events at Asbury before presenting symptoms. The statement also noted the university is working with the Jessamine County Health Department to ensure all precautions to mitigate further spread.
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According to the CDC, a small number of cases can quickly produce epidemics in high-risk, unvaccinated populations.
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, preschool children, adolescents, young adults, and inadequately immunized people comprise the majority of U.S. measles cases.
The Asbury Revival began after the morning service at Asbury University February 8. Citing disruptions from the influx of people to the university and Whilmore, a town of about 6,000, Asbury authorities chose to halt the revival. The last public revival day was Monday, February 20.
Main photo: Attendees come forward to pray together during worship at Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University. Both floors were completely full of attendees for the service / RNS Photo by Fiona Morgan
