The Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirms the first case of measles in the state.

 

KDHE and the Stevens County Health Department says there has been a positive case of measles in the southwest county of Stevens. This is the first confirmed case of the illness in Kansas since 2018. Measles is a highly contagious illness that includes symptoms of runny nose, a cough, high fever, and red, watery eyes. A red rash appears on the face and body within one to four days of the first symptoms appearing.

 

Individuals are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella or MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test.

 

Measles rarely occurs in Kansas and the illness is usually associated with international travel.