NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Health said Tuesday it confirmed a positive measles test from a state resident.
It said the person had recently traveled internationally and had spent time in Kentucky while infectious. A release from the health department said the person was now recovering from measles, which can cause severe symptoms like fever, headaches and a rash around a person's body. It is potentially fatal in up to two out of every 1,000 cases.
Measles can travel through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes. The department said the virus can stay airborne or live on surfaces for up to two hours. People infected with measles, but who may not have symptoms, can still transmit the virus for around five days before a rash appears, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
The health department said it has not identified additional positive measles cases in Tennessee so far this year. It said Tuesday's positive test was the first measles case in the state since 2019, but no specific details were available about the case.
The department said suspected measles cases should be reported to the state health department at 615-741-7247. A release from 2019 also said Tennesseans should make sure they are up-to-date on vaccines against measles. People can reach out to their local health departments for information about getting vaccinated.
The Knox County Health Department is available at 865-215-5555.