Measles case confirmed in Butler County, health officials say

A measles case has been confirmed in Butler County, according to a news release Tuesday from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The person who contracted the disease has met with health department officials, the release said, and all those who have potentially been in contact with the subject have been identified.

Workers from a number of Kansas county health departments, the release said, will be notifying all identified contacts. Staff will evaluate immunization status and ask about possible symptoms among those potentially exposed.

A respiratory disease, measles is caused by a virus. With the creation of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, measles cases have generally been rare in the U.S., the release said.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The signs and symptoms of measles typically begin one to two weeks after someone is exposed to an infected person.

Symptoms include: Fever, rashes on the skin, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, general aches, and tiny white spots found inside the mouth.

“The best way to prevent measles is vaccination,” said Susan Mosier, a state health officer, in the release. “Protect your children by making sure they have the MMR vaccine when they are 12-to-15 months old, and again before they enter kindergarten.”

People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include infants and children aged less than 5 years old, adults older than 20, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

The Butler County Health Department worked with state officials to confirm the case. Healthcare providers who have questions should call the state health department at 877-427-7317 or the Butler County manager at 316-322-4300, the release said.

For more information about the disease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

This story was originally published July 4, 2017 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Measles case confirmed in Butler County, health officials say."