Kansas City Health Director on how to help prevent measles outbreak
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Public health managers across Kansas are watching the number of measles cases grow.
So far, 37 confirmed measles cases are known in Kansas as the virus spreads from the southwest. That has Kansas City's health department making plans in case measles concerns grow locally.
Dr. Marvia Jones, Kansas City's Health Director, emphasizes that for now, there are no confirmed measles cases in the city. However, the virus has spread from New Mexico and Texas in a short amount of time, and now, it's spread north into eight counties in southwestern Kansas, too.The Kansas City Health Department intends to be ready in case the measles outbreak comes to the metro. Public health managers detail contingency plans at a Thursday afternoon city council business session.
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Dr. Jones believes the city's supply of MMR vaccine is sufficient for the time being. That vaccine is meant for patients to receive twice before their sixth birthday, but some may not have been vaccinated as kids.
'For folks who are like, hey, I don't think my folks ever got me vaccinated. I'm not sure. I want to catch up. I do think that's something temporary where we could waive the fees, and eat that cost,' Dr. Jones said.
Local pediatricians are already receiving calls about measles. Dr. Shawn Soon, a pediatric specialist with the University of Kansas Health System, believes it's a matter of time before the virus shows up locally. Dr. Soon said patients who've received the vaccine should be fine, but he expressed worry for those who haven't.'I'd be concerned. If you have a child who is unvaccinated and has a high level of exposure to measles, you really need to talk to your pediatrician about what you can do proactively,' Dr. Soon said.
Dr. Soon recommends that parents of young patients who are immunocompromised, or those who are on chemotherapy, should also talk with their doctors, since those children can't receive most vaccines. Dr. Jones said she's concerned that federal funding cuts could affect the replenishing of the city's vaccine supply if needed.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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