(March 21, 2025) – On March 13, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Stevens County Health Department reported a positive case of measles in a resident of Stevens County. It is currently unknown whether this case is linked to any ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States. KDHE, along with the Stevens County Health Department, are notifying individuals who may have been exposed to this case of measles. This incident marks the first measles case in Kansas since 2018. With this reported case and the growing measles outbreak in Texas and multiple other states, the Immunize Kansas Coalition, of which KHA is a member, has launched a Measles and MMR Vaccine Resource Hub.
On the resource hub, you will find information about measles and the MMR vaccine, important updates on the measles outbreak in other states, the KDHE HAN alert on the case in Kansas and the CDC HAN on expanding measles outbreak and guidance for upcoming travel season. Other resources include common answers to questions or concerns, "Protect Against Measles" campaign resources, and information for providers. As a reminder, per K.A.R. 28-1-2, measles is a four-hour reportable disease. If a health care provider, laboratory or hospital suspects, tests, or diagnoses an individual with measles, KDHE should be notified immediately.
--Karen Braman