State

The resurgence of measles in Kansas

Stories by Wichita Eagle and Kansas journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas faces its largest measles outbreak since 2018, driven by several factors. Vaccination rates have dropped in key counties, including a 24 percentage point dip in Gray County since 2019. Several recent cases, such as the one in an unvaccinated child in Sedgwick County, highlight the ongoing risk for those without up-to-date protection.

Health officials are urging residents to check their vaccine status, especially those vaccinated between 1957 and 1967, due to less effective early vaccines. Clinics and pharmacies across Kansas are expanding access to MMR shots and immunity testing, as measles continues to spread statewide.

NO. 1: IT’S ‘A MATTER OF TIME’ BEFORE THE MEASLES REACHES SEDGWICK COUNTY, EXPERT WARNS

Kansas reported its first case in Stevens County Thursday. | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

The measles virus is highly contagious; if one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are unvaccinated.

NO. 2: VACCINATION RATES DOWN IN MOST KANSAS COUNTIES WHERE MEASLES HAVE BEEN REPORTED

Vaccinations are required for school in Kansas unless there is a religious or medical exemption. | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Chilson

A dose of mumps/measles/rubella vaccine By Wichita Eagle

NO. 3: KANSAS SEEING FIRST MEASLES OUTBREAK SINCE 2018. WHERE TO GET YOUR VACCINE NOW

Sedgwick County confirmed its first measles case May 7. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

NO. 4: SEDGWICK COUNTY CONFIRMS MEASLES CASE IN UNVACCINATED CHILD. IT’S THE FIRST SINCE 2017

The Sedgwick County case joins more than 40 measles cases statewide. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

Photo illustration of the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine in a vial. By Kittisak Kaewchalun

NO. 5: KS MEASLES OUTBREAK: DO THOSE BORN IN THE 1950S AND 1960S NEED AN UPDATED VACCINE?

With a case confirmed in Sedgwick County, here’s what you should know at any age about getting the vaccine. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists or its content partners.