Kansas health officials reported eight new measles cases in the past week, bringing the state’s total to 32 across eight southwestern counties, including Morton, Stevens, Haskell, Kiowa, Grant, and Gray. Finney and Ford counties are the latest to report active outbreaks. One person has been hospitalized.
The first Kansas case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is genetically linked to outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, though the exact source of exposure remains unknown.
Nationwide, measles cases have already surpassed the total number reported in all of 2024, according to the CDC. Outbreaks—defined as three or more cases—have occurred in New Mexico, Kansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Since February, two unvaccinated individuals have died from measles-related complications.
Health officials warn the virus could continue to spread in communities with low vaccination rates. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air. It is preventable with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, typically given at 12–15 months and again at 4–6 years.
Adults unsure of their immunity can get a booster. A lab test, known as an MMR titer, can check immunity but may not be necessary. Vaccines given before 1968 with a “killed” virus are less effective, and those individuals should get revaccinated.
