Kansas City, MO health officials have reported an additional three confirmed measles cases, bringing the outbreak total to 13. In addition, they updated the measles exposure time frames and locations listed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone who is unvaccinated or may not have full immunity could be affected.

We are reminded that the Missouri measles outbreak is not related to an east Kansas outbreak that has affected 22 people since March.

Symptoms of measles generally begin 7-14 days after a person is exposed to an infected person. A typical case of measles begins with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes (conjunctivitis), and sore throat.  Three to five days after the start of these symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, usually starting on a person’s face at the hairline and spreading downward to the entire body. At the time the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rash typically lasts at least a few days and then disappears in the same order. People with measles may be contagious up to 4 days before the rash appears and for four days after the day the rash appears.

CDC recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12- through 15-months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

Adults should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine. Certain groups need two doses of MMR, including: college students, health care workers, international travelers, and persons at high risk for measles complications. Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles from past exposures, but in situations where exposure to measles is likely, these adults may benefit from a dose of MMR vaccine to be safer.