Kentucky says a flaw in its measles dashboard exposed some patients' private information

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 7) — Private information about some Kentuckians with confirmed measles was publicly reachable through the state's disease dashboard in September, state health officials said, the Kentucky Lantern reported.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services spokeswoman Beth Fisher said in a statement that a "security vulnerability" was found on Sept. 23. She said staff moved quickly to lock the information down and block further public access.

The cabinet has not said how many patients were affected or exactly what information was visible. Fisher said the agency is still investigating the scope and will send every notice required by state and federal law once the review is done, the Lantern reported.

Fewer than 100 measles cases had been confirmed in Kentucky when the exposure happened. The outbreak has since passed 200 cases, mostly in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities in several counties, according to the cabinet. The Lantern noted that is the state's highest count since 1991, when Kentucky recorded 443 cases, according to federal data.

Health officials continue to urge residents to check that they are protected. Kentuckians can look up their immunization records through the state's online registry portal, the cabinet said.