Measles case confirmed in Stevens County, 1st in Kansas since 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Stevens County Health Department confirmed a positive case of measles in a resident of the southwest Kansas county. This is the first confirmed measles case in the Sunflower State since 2018.
KDHE said it’s unknown if this case is linked to any ongoing outbreaks in the U.S. KDHE and the Stevens County Health Department are notifying people who might’ve been exposed to the disease.
Early symptoms of measles include a fever of more than 101 degrees, a runny nose, a 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. Measles symptoms typically develop 10-14 days after exposure. Symptoms can develop as soon as seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure,” KDHE explained.
The respiratory disease, caused by a virus, spreads through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing.
“Measles can spread from an infected person to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears,” KDHE 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 advised.
Health experts say the best way to prevent measles is to get the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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. 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,” KDHE explained.
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