Unvaccinated measles patient may have exposed 20,000 at nonstop worship event

About 20,000 people may have been exposed to measles during a 24-hour spiritual revival that spanned nearly two weeks at Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., state health officials warned after an unvaccinated worshiper was found to have the highly contagious virus that causes the illness.

Thousands traveled across city, county and state lines to participate in what was called “the Asbury Revival,” which stretched from Feb. 8 to Feb. 19 at the university’s chapel. Videos shared on TikTok and Instagram showed people praying, holding hands and crying to worship music. The gathering drew national attention to the small Christian school, located about 30 minutes from Lexington.