Kentucky health department links measles case to a religious 'revival' at a Christian college that had to be disbanded after it went viral on TikTok

• Kentucky's health department linked a measles case in the state to a "revival" at Asbury University.
• Hundreds of students and travelers gathered for an impromptu prayer service on the campus for days.

The impromptu religious "revival" at Asbury University that attracted hundreds of people from across the country after going viral on TikTok has now been linked to at least one case of measles, according to the state health officials.

Students started gathering at the small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky on February 8 for a regularly scheduled chapel service, but hundreds stayed inside the building for days in an act of impromptu group prayer. Videos of the event went viral on TikTok and prompted people to travel from across the country to participate in the group worship.

The university began disbanding the service on February 18 after crowds became too large. After the mass prayer at Asbury began to go viral on TikTok, students at other universities, such as Mississippi State University, started gathering for impromptu worship as well.

On Friday, the Kentucky Department for Public Health confirmed in a statement that a case of measles in a Jessamine County resident had been linked to the revival. The resident, who attended the revival on February 18, was unvaccinated, according to the health department.

"Anyone who attended the revival on Feb. 18 may have been exposed to measles," said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). "Attendees who are unvaccinated are encouraged to quarantine for 21 days and to seek immunization with the measles vaccine, which is safe and effective."

When reached for comment, an Asbury University spokesperson directed Insider to a statement on the university's website that said, in part, that "Asbury University is working with JCHD officials to ensure all precautions are taken to mitigate any further spread."

Three cases of measles have been reported in Kentucky since December 2022, according to the state health department. Dr. Stack said that anyone who may have been exposed to measles at Asbury University — whether vaccinated or not — should isolate themselves from others and call their medical provider, an urgent care, or the local emergency department to get tested if they develop symptoms.

Early symptoms of measles are fever, cough, redness in the eyes, and runny nose, and a rash that appears three to five days after symptoms begin, according to the Kentucky's health department.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at preventing outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends people get the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age.