Measles cases rise to 23 in Kansas, may be linked to large multistate outbreak

[Donger]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/healt...eak/index.html

Twenty-three measles cases have been reported in Kansas, and the state health department said they could be linked to an ongoing outbreak that has infected at least 379 people across Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

“The confirmed cases in Kansas have a possible link to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. While genetic sequencing of the first Kansas case reported is consistent with an epidemiological link to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks, the source of exposure is still unknown,” Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said in an email Wednesday.

Children account for 21 of the Kansas cases, and 20 of the cases are in people who are unvaccinated.

The Kansas measles cases are concentrated in the southwestern part of the state and have spread to six counties.

Most of the public school districts in these counties have vaccination rates that are well below the recommended 95% threshold set by the Department of Health and Human Services to stop spread of the virus. Hugoton Public Schools in Stevens County, which accounts for more than a quarter of the cases, had an 83% vaccination rate among kindergartners last school year, according to data from the state health department. And the Sublette Unified School District in Haskell County had a vaccination rate of just 44%.

Statewide, 90.4% of incoming kindergartners in the 2023-24 school year had received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows. Only 15 other states had lower coverage rates.

Religious exemptions for vaccinations have risen in Kansas over the past decade. Last week, the state House of Representatives passed a bill including language that would expand such exemptions. The measure, which also aims to increase child care availability and capacity, is now being debated in a state Senate committee.

“The provision in HB2294 is simply bad public health policy and Kansas children will be harmed by it,” Dr. Brandon Kennedy, chair of the Immunize Kansas Coalition, said in a statement last week.

As part of the wider measles outbreak, Texas has reported 327 cases as of Tuesday, and New Mexico reported 43 cases. Oklahoma has reported nine cases: seven confirmed and two probable.
measles_card.png

Related article Tracking measles cases in the United States

Forty-two people have been hospitalized and one death reported, a school-age child who was not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions. Health officials in New Mexico are also investigating the cause of death of an unvaccinated person who tested positive for measles.

Most of the cases in Texas are in Gaines County, where the outbreak was first identified. In New Mexico, most are in Lea County, which borders Gaines County.

Officials say the virus’ spread into additional counties is a problem.

“We’re continuing to see more counties with one case popping up. … It’s concerning every time we add additional counties with cases,” said Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health in Texas. “It indicates that people are either traveling through Gaines County and picking it up, or we’re having people infected with measles traveling outside the county.”

Tuesday’s update from the Oklahoma State Department of Health indicates links with the Texas and New Mexico cases.

“All cases are linked through exposures to household or extended family; and initial cases reported exposure to the measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. At this time, no cases have resulted from exposure to public settings,” the agency said.

Although most of the cases in the outbreak have been in people who were unvaccinated or who had unknown vaccination status, six were found in people who said they have received at least one dose of MMR: two in Texas and four in New Mexico.

New Mexico’s case update Tuesday reported only one additional case since Friday, but local officials said they worry that the numbers will continue to grow
Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective against the measles virus.

“This is not necessarily a downward trend. It could just be a lull in what is an ongoing outbreak,” said Robert Nott, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Health. “We are not taking it for granted.”

The CDC is on the ground in Texas to help with infection control, including figuring out how to reduce exposures in patient waiting rooms and answering technical questions for health care providers who have never seen measles before, Wells said.

New Mexico has not requested CDC assistance, but the agency has been in communication with the health department, according to local officials.

There have been more than 444 measles cases reported in the United States this year, according to CNN’s tally of cases.

Less than a quarter through 2025, this is already more than all of the cases reported last year. In 2024, there were 285 measles cases reported in the US, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

all three have amazing effective vaccines

There is no rational reason to allow a child to be at risk

However, we know there are ant ivax people who enjoy the right for their kids to be sick, possibly die or become crippled for life For rational parents, we can protect or children with safe and effective vaccines

Do you understand the difference between very old vaccines that have been effective for decades vs the brand new covid vax that was aggressively pushed?

(Im not arguing pro or con on the covid vax)

I'm simply wondering if you genuinely dont understand the difference and human nature.

There is a % of the population that are "anti vax" for all vaccines but that is a pretty small number in the big picture.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Do you understand the difference between very old vaccines that have been effective for decades vs the brand new covid vax that was aggressively pushed?

(Im not arguing pro or con on the covid vax)

I'm simply wondering if you genuinely dont understand the difference and human nature.

There is a % of the population that are "anti vax" for all vaccines but that is a pretty small number in the big picture.

yes. but this thread is not about covid vax and all the surrounding stuff.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

When I was a kid we laughed at the measles.

All getting the measles meant was getting to stay home and read comic books while the rest of the suckers were in school.

It was nothing. We almost hoped we'd get it.

Only the genetically weak have anything to worry about. The type of frail people who die from colds.

[ShortRoundChief]

lol. It’s lasted this long… I’m starting to feel like the mods are inviting more dc shit in. Off season entertainment perhaps? Sexual frustration? Perhaps. Irritating me? Most likely.

[jdubya]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

yes. but this thread is not about covid vax and all the surrounding stuff.

Fair enough. Today when you hear "anti vax" it is usually about the most recent years. My point is I dont think very many folks are against the traditional MMRs that have been around for decades.

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Fair enough. Today when you hear "anti vax" it is usually about the most recent years. My point is I dont think very many folks are against the traditional MMRs that have been around for decades.

I hope you are correct.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Now explain the difference between polio, chicken pox, and the measles.

Chicken pox in kids is usually mild. Mostly just a nuisance. For adults is usually worse.

Measles extremely contagious, about one in a thousand will die and more may suffer permanent damage although it isn't always obvious. For instance immune system may be slightly weaker. May be slight brain damage.

Polio is contagious. From one in a hundred to one in a thousand can end up with serious, life long nervous problems, paralysis. Can strike in childhood, go into remission, and return in adulthood.

All three have vaccines.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by jdubya

Fair enough. Today when you hear "anti vax" it is usually about the most recent years. My point is I dont think very many folks are against the traditional MMRs that have been around for decades.

MMR vaccination rates have been dropping in recent years.

If MMR rates in schools/school districts are above 95%, measles won't spread in that school, school district and kids/schools tend to be common source of spread.

But a 85% rate can allow measles to spread.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

I remember kids who had polio

My dad had Polio.

[BossChief]

The MMR vaccine was taken by 95.2% of students in 2020.

Now, that percentage is closer to 92%…below herd immunity.

Wonder what happened after 2020….

[Chieftain]

Bobby said this is normal this time of year.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by BossChief

The MMR vaccine was taken by 95.2% of students in 2020.

Now, that percentage is closer to 92%…below herd immunity.

Wonder what happened after 2020….

Not that it matters. If you get vaccinated you're covered. It doesn't matter what your neighbor does. That's their risk.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

2 people died from being struck by lightening in Texas last year...better never go outside again.

IF only there were a way to prevent lighting strikes with a harmless pinch to the arm that was administered by a highly educated expert that would also prevent the electricity form spreading to others.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

IF only there were a way to prevent lighting strikes with a harmless pinch to the arm that was administered by a highly educated expert that would also prevent the electricity form spreading to others.

What they do doesn't matter.

This is like arguing that cavities will spread to your family if your neighbor doesn't brush his teeth. Not true. If you take TRT therapy your test will go up. Your neighbor doesn't have to. His low T is his problem.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Not that it matters. If you get vaccinated you're covered. It doesn't matter what your neighbor does. That's their risk.

It’s already been said but children aren’t given their first MMR vaccine until they’re 12 months old. They don’t receive the second dose until they’re like 4 or something.

It’s not as simple as you’re making it out to be.