Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 28 Mar 2025
Kansas Reports Measles Outbreak With 23 Cases As Infections Rise Across US
Till now, no cases in Kansas have led to either hospitalization or death
Health officials in the US state of Kansas have confirmed 23 cases of measles, marking an outbreak for the state. The highly contagious disease, which causes fever and rashes, has been creating havoc in at least 17 states—most cases in the US in a single year since 2019.
According to the Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas outbreak is spread across six southwest counties. Also, at least 20 cases belong to those individuals who were not vaccinated against the infection. Officials say 15 cases are in school-aged children, between the ages of 5 and 17 years; six are 4 years old or younger; and two are over 18.
No deaths have been reported as of now
Till now, no cases in Kansas have led to either hospitalization or death, according to the data from the state's health department. Officials say the majority of the cases have been reported in an outbreak in Texas—sickening more than 300 people since late January and one fatality of a child. An adult with measles also died in New Mexico.
Earlier this month, officials also said a person with a confirmed measles infection may have exposed Amtrak passengers on a train to Washington, D.C.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus, leading to widespread rash and flu-like symptoms. However, measles is not just a rash and can make you severely ill and lead to life-threatening complications like brain inflammation and pneumonia. It also makes you more likely to get sick with other infections. Earlier, it was part of routine childhood vaccination as measles caused millions of deaths around the world.
Also known as rubeola, measles is an airborne disease.
Signs and symptoms of measles
A few signs and symptoms of measles include:
- High fever
- Barky cough
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Runny nose
- Tiredness
- Red spots with white centers in your mouth
- Rashes
- Digestive symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pain, and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Headache
What causes measles?
Measles virus, also known as genus Morbillivirus, causes this contagious disease. It is an airborne disease, which means it spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. The airborne droplets can remain in a room for two hours even after the person with measles is gone.
Droplets also land on surfaces you touch. Measles can spread by:
- Being around someone with measles, including talking, sharing food or drinks, kissing, shaking hands or hugging
- Touching a surface or object containing the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes
- Vertical transmission: from a pregnant woman to the fetus or baby during pregnancy, delivery, or while breastfeeding.
- Are older than 20 years or younger than 5
- Are pregnant
- Have a weakened immune system
How to prevent measles?
Doctors say the measles vaccine is extremely effective at preventing the disease. To be fully protected, you need two doses of either:
- Measles, mumps, rubella or the MMR vaccine
- Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella or the MMRV vaccine
Most people get the MMR or MMRV shots in childhood, but you can get them as an adult, too. Doctors say it is unlikely you will get measles if you have received both doses of the vaccine. Receiving only one dose is less effective at preventing illness.
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