In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Johnson County, Kansas, health officials put the case count at seven as of Friday.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

Six of the cases are associated with a child care facility and one case from Miami County is not associated with the child care facility.

To date, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Johnson County have been able to identify where and when each case became infected. KDHE urges people who are ill or exhibiting measles-like symptoms to stay at home unless they are seeking medical care. Before visiting a healthcare provider, call ahead so that the provider can take measures to protect other patients and staff.

Health officials say you are at extremely low risk for contracting measles if you were not at any of the below locations; you have been vaccinated for measles; or you have had the measles.

  • Aldi’s; 15290 W. 119th St Olathe, KS 66062; on March 2nd from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  • Payless Discount Foods; 2101 E. Santa Fe St, Olathe, KS; on March 6th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
  • El Potro Mexican Café; 602 N Pearl St, Paola, KS on March 7th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas; 5808 W 110th St, Overland Park, KS on March 8th and March 10th in the morning
  • Budget Coin Laundry; 798 E Main St, Gardner, KS; on March 9th from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Olathe YMCA swimming pool and locker room; 21400 W. 153rd St, Olathe, KS; on March 10th from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Bath and Body Works at Legends Outlets; 1803 Village W Pkwy, Kansas City, KS; on March 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Crazy 8 at Legends Outlets; 1843 Village W Pkwy, Kansas City, KS; on March 10th after 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Orange Leaf; 11524 W 135th St Overland Park, KS; on March 10th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

However, those who are unvaccinated or infants under the age of 1 who are too young to be vaccinated are at risk for contracting measles if they visited one or more of these locations on the dates and times listed.

“Measles is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing,” said KDHE Chief Health Officer, Dr. Greg Lakin. “It is so contagious that any person who is exposed to it, and is not immune, will likely contract the disease. Measles can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.”

Johnson County and KDHE continue to investigate this outbreak and are working to identify contacts. 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 (range of 7 to 21 days). Secondary cases are now appearing outside of the daycare.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin a rash develops and usually starts on the face at the hairline and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms, and legs. The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine.

KDHE and Johnson County recommend that persons who are exposed stay home if they have a fever, except to see a healthcare provider. Before visiting a healthcare provider, call ahead so that the provider can take measures to protect other patients and staff.