TOPEKA (KSNT) – Health officials report that measles cases remain low in Kansas as the U.S. experiences the highest number of infections in over three decades.
Measles cases are on the rise nationally, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting over 40 new outbreaks and over 5,000 cases in 2026. Additionally, Wisconsin’s Division of Public Health reported on Nov. 6 the first death caused by measles in the U.S. since 1990. But how many cases have officials recorded so far in Kansas this year?
Measles cases in Kansas
Kansas had zero cases of measles between 2020 and 2024, according to data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). However, health officials reported an outbreak in southwest Kansas last year, with total infections cresting 90 cases for 2025.
Case numbers of measles in Kansas for 2026 have remained low compared to last year, with officials reporting that current measles infections are tied to out of state travel and not local community transmission.
Statistics from the KDHE show that measles cases have only been reported in Osage County. So far, state health officials have confirmed a total of nine measles cases in this county.
- 2026 Kansas measles cases
- May – one
- September – four
- October – four
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What are Kansas health officials saying?
A KDHE spokesman told 27 News that several of the cases that have been recorded in Osage County this year are tied to out of state travel with no transmission of infections occurring locally.
“As of right now, we are not seeing the larger community transmission we saw back in 2025, but we will refrain from venturing a guess as to whether that will change,” said Preston Webb, deputy communications director with the KDHE.
We also reached out to the Osage County Health Department, but staff referred us to the KDHE and public statements made on social media. The department posted an update to social media on Nov. 5 regarding local cases of measles, stating there is no known ongoing community transmission taking place.
“We continue to monitor the situation and encourage residents to stay informed and check their MMR vaccination status.”
Osage County Health Department social media statement excerpt
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Staff with the Osage County Health Department and KDHE encourage people to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles. County health officials recommend two doses of MMR vaccine to provide the best protection against measles, which can be administered to both children and adults.
Webb also said people should get vaccinated in order to help prevent the spread of measles in Kansas and prevent future outbreaks.
“The best way to protect individuals and communities from measles outbreaks is through vaccination,” Webb said. “We encourage everyone to talk to their local health department or other trusted healthcare providers about any questions they may have about measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.”
Measles vaccination rates in Kansas
KDHE immunization data shows the vaccination coverage for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine among kindergarten-aged children is at just over 86% for the 2025-2026 school year in Osage County. This marks an increase of over 7% compared to the previous academic year.
- Osage County MMR vaccine coverage
- 2025-2026 – 86.07%
- 2024-2025 – 78.42%
- 2023-2024 – 78.27%
- 2022-2023 – 80.06%
- 2021-2022 – 81.30%
- 2020-2021 – 78.20%
The statewide MMR vaccination rate remains high, sitting at just over 90%, according to the KDHE.
- Statewide school entry MMR vaccine coverage by academic year
- 2025-2026 – 90.26%
- 2024-2025 – 90.59%
- 2023-2024 – 90.21%
- 2022-2023 – 91.04%
- 2021-2022 – 91.31%
- 2020-2021 – 92.47%
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What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus, with symptoms typically appearing one to two weeks after initial exposure, according to the CDC. Measles can cause serious health problems for children younger than five years old, with common issues including ear infections and diarrhea while more serious health conditions like pneumonia and encephalitis are also possible.
People infected with measles may develop symptoms including a high fever, cough, runny nose, rash and red, watery eyes, according to the CDC. Measles also poses significant health risks to pregnant women, people who have weakened immune systems and people older than 20.
(Getty Images)
CDC officials report that people infected with measles have a high chance of passing the virus on to those around them. Infected individuals can spread measles to others even before knowing that they have the virus. The measles virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours and remain on surfaces that an infected person has come into contact with.
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To learn more about measles and how to get vaccinated, click here.
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