The communities are on high alert.
A measles outbreak in Kansas has rapidly intensified, with the number of cases rising to 23 in just under a week. Initially, Kansas reported 10 cases in three counties—Grant, Morton, and Stevens—mostly affecting individuals under the age of 18. The outbreak has now spread to additional counties, including Haskell, Gray, and Kiowa. Health authorities have recommended early measles vaccinations for infants aged 6 to 11 months in the affected areas.
In Ohio, a similar situation has emerged with a single case in Ashtabula County spreading to nine more individuals. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 10, and the Ohio Department of Health has reported potential exposure to other counties as well.
One concerning factor is that some of the affected areas in Kansas have low vaccination rates, with some counties like Haskell and Gray having vaccination coverage as low as 58% and 66%, respectively. Ohio has a higher vaccination rate, with 89% of kindergarteners vaccinated for the 2023-2024 school year, but the outbreaks show how quickly measles can spread when vaccination coverage is insufficient.
Even before these latest outbreaks, the number of measles cases in the U.S. for 2025 had already exceeded the total for 2024. Health officials are urging the public to ensure proper vaccination, stressing that while measles can be severe or even fatal, it is largely preventable through vaccines.
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