KDHE updates on measles in Kansas
May 14, 2025
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, there are 56 total measles cases in the state. Of those 54 have been linked to a southwest Kansas outbreak.
The two most recent cases in Hutchinson and Wichita are separate from the outbreak in southwest Kansas, state public health officials report.
The Reno County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment on May 10 confirmed a positive measles case in a Reno County resident and a potential exposure at the Hutchinson Public Library. But public health officials said, "This case is not associated with any of the U.S. measles outbreaks and does not represent community transmission in Reno County."
After confirming a measles case in the Wichita area on May 7, the Sedgwick County Health Department reported potential exposures at a local grocery store and Eisenhower National Airport.
KDHE has recently updated their information on these cases, stating that they are suspected to be associated with international travel.
The outbreak primarily affects unvaccinated children, with 45 of 54 outbreak cases unvaccinated. Of the 54 cases associated with the southwest Kansas outbreak, 11 are adults. Among child patients, 18 are ages infant to 4 years old — which is when the second MMR vaccine dose is recommended — while 18 are ages 5- to 10 years old, three are 11-13 years old and four are 14-17 years old. Among the outbreak cases, there have been two hospitalizations — up one in the past week — but no deaths.
Health officials recommend two MMR vaccine doses for children and one for most adults. At least 45 of the patients haven't been vaccinated. Five patients have received age-appropriate vaccinations, while one patient was under-vaccinated for their age. Vaccination statuses for three patients couldn't be verified.
For counties that are part of the measles outbreak as well as the surrounding counties, KDHE is recommending an early dose of the MMR vaccine. Also known as an infant dose, that dose is recommended for infants ages 6-11 months.
For children in those counties who are older than 12 months and have not been vaccinated, KDHE recommends "one dose immediately and follow with a second dose at least 28 days after." Children older than 12 months who have already gotten a first dose "should receive an early second dose."
KDHE is also advising teenagers and adults who have previously been vaccinated with one dose should receive a second dose.
Nationwide, there have been 1,001 total confirmed measles cases across 31 jurisdictions as of May 8, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those cases have led to 126 hospitalizations and three deaths. Two of the deaths have been unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas, while the other was an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
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