KS Measles Cases Up To 15: Possible Exposure At These Locations

A measles outbreak in eastern Kansas has infected 15 people and health officials are warning residents about the locations where they may have been exposed to the disease.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, since March 8, 15 cases have been identified. Officials say 12 cases were Johnson County residents, two cases were Linn County residents and one case was a Miami County resident.

Health officials say a measles case involving an out-of-state resident who traveled internationally is not related to the outbreak.

Kansas health officials say anyone who visited the following locations on the listed dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

Olathe Health Family Medicine, 302 N. 1st St, Mound City, Kansas

March 26, March 28 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Olathe Health Family Medicine, 1017 E. Market Street, La Cygne, Kansas

March 27 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Casey's General Store, 207 S. 9th Street, Mound City, Kansas

March 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 28 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Casey's General Store, 406 E. Market Street, La Cygne, Kansas

March 27 from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Chick-fil-A, 12087 S. Blackbob Road, Olathe, Kansas

March 24 from 8:15 to 10 p.m.

Olathe YMCA (entire facility including the childcare area), 21400 W. 153rd Street, Olathe, Kansas

March 22, 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Walgreens, 7500 Womall Road, Kansas City, Missouri

March 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Chuck E. Cheese's, 15225 W 134th Place, Olathe, Kansas

March 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Measles symptoms begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red water eyes. About three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash develops that usually starts on the face at the hairline and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms and legs. Officials say the average number of days between when a person is exposed to measles and when they first start showing symptoms is approximately 10 to 14 days.

Health officials say they are urging anyone who is ill or has symptoms to stay at home unless they are seeking medical care. Officials also say that before visiting a healthcare provider, people should call ahead and let the provider know of the measles exposure to protect other patients and staff.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that can be spread from four days before to four days after the rash appears. The disease cannot be spread to others by people who don't have the disease. Those who have had measles or have received the MMR vaccination are at a very low risk of contracting the disease.

For more information, residents can call:

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment at 913-477-8343

Linn County Health Department at 913-795-7302

KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317

Photo by Jarun Ontakrai/Shutterstock