Measles case confirmed in southwest Kansas for first time in 7 years, health officials say
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed the first measles case in Kansas since 2018.
Health officials reported a positive case of measles in a resident in Stevens County, about 230 miles from Wichita in the southwest corner of the state. According to a news release from the state health department, it is unknown if the case is linked to any ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States.
State and local health officials are working on notifying those who may have been exposed, the news release said.
Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a highly contagious airborne virus, the state health department said. It can be spread by breathing, coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms of the disease can include a fever higher than 101 degrees, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. Usually, one to four days after these early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, the state health department said.
“Because measles is a highly infectious disease, it is very important for anyone exposed and experiencing symptoms to isolate from others with the exception of visiting a health care provider,” the state health department said in a news release.
Measles is a disease that has been considered largely eradicated in the United states for more than 20 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of March 6, the most recent data available, the CDC said a total of 222 measles cases were reported by 12 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.
Measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico have totaled more than 250 cases, the AP reported Wednesday. Two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes, the report said.
One death occurred in west Texas, where a school-aged child who was not vaccinated was hospitalized and later died, health officials said.
The second death, in Lea County, New Mexico, is still under investigation, but the CDC lists it as a measles-related death. A deceased Lea County resident who was unvaccinated tested positive for measles, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
When is a measles vaccine recommended?
There have been three outbreaks reported in 2025, and 93% of cases this year are outbreak associated, the CDC says. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases were outbreak associated, according to CDC data.
People under the age of 19 account for 79% of the measles cases in 2025, according to CDC data. Those unvaccinated account for the vast majority of cases.
Health officials say the best way to prevent measles is to get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The CDC recommends children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and a second dose at age 4 to 6 years.
Infants ages 6 through 11 months old should get the MMR vaccination if traveling outside the United States, health officials say.
According to the state health department, adults are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Measles case confirmed in southwest Kansas for first time in 7 years, health officials say."
