Measles threat rising in Kansas and Kansas City outbreak

Measles cases are rising quickly in Kansas, with most infections affecting unvaccinated children and teens. The outbreak, which started in the southwest, has now reached over 48 cases—including a recent unvaccinated child in Sedgwick County. Kansas City health officials warn that vaccination rates in local schools, especially in Wyandotte County, fall below the herd immunity threshold, making these areas especially vulnerable if the virus arrives.

New restrictions on public health authority and recent federal funding cuts have made it harder for local agencies to respond, while mistrust and misinformation continue to fuel vaccine hesitancy. Local efforts, such as low-cost vaccine clinics and extended health department hours, aim to close these gaps before measles gains a foothold in the city.

Immunization is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children's health By Judy Schmidt

NO. 1: WHAT VACCINES DOES MISSOURI REQUIRE FOR CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL? SEE THE 2024 LIST

Here’s what you need to know about what vaccines are required in Missouri, if you can exempt your child and where to book a vaccination appointment. | Published July 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

NO. 2: MEASLES IS MAKING A COMEBACK. HERE’S HOW KANSAS CITY PARENTS CAN PROTECT THEIR KIDS | OPINION

The U.S. used to see nearly 50,000 hospitalizations and close to 500 deaths every year. There’s a proven solution. | Opinion | Published March 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Erin McCann

A variety of vaccines, including the measles vaccine ready to be administered at a Texas hospital. By Jay Janner

NO. 3: MEASLES OUTBREAK: 10TH CASE REPORTED IN SW KANSAS, ALL INVOLVING CHILDREN UNDER 18

There were eight cases of measles reported in Kansas so far this month, raising the number of cases to 10 so far this year and making the Kansas cases qualify as an outbreak. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

A variety of vaccines, including the measles vaccine. The Trump administration recently cut funding to Kansas City-area vaccine awareness efforts. By Jay Janner

NO. 4: TRUMP CUTS KC VACCINE FUNDING AS MEASLES SPREADS IN KANSAS. ‘NO RATIONAL REASON’

The Trump administration canceled federal grants that were funding vaccine education and awareness efforts in the Kansas City area. | Published April 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman Kacen Bayless

NO. 5: KANSAS SEES SHARP RISE IN MEASLES CASES; OUTBREAK SPREADS TO NEW COUNTIES

Measles cases in Kansas surge 40% in two weeks, spreading to new counties. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

NO. 6: KANSAS ROLLS BACK PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ AUTHORITY AMID TB, MEASLES OUTBREAKS

Under a new law, local health officials will have to prove “probable cause” to make someone quarantine. Orders about public gatherings and masking will just be recommendations now. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

NO. 7: MEASLES OUTBREAK IN KANSAS RISES TO 37 CASES, MOSTLY UNVACCINATED PATIENTS

Unvaccinated patients drive measles spread in Kansas. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

NO. 8: HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN KANSAS CITY MAY SOON SEE ITS FIRST MEASLES CASE

Kansas City’s vaccination rates are below herd immunity, raising concerns as measles outbreaks expand in Kansas and the U.S., officials say. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Students walk the halls of Gloria Willis Middle School on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Kansas. By Emily Curiel

NO. 9: IF MEASLES REACHES THE KC METRO, WYANDOTTE COUNTY COULD BE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE

Kindergarten vaccination rates in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools are among the lowest in the state. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Marvia Jones, Director of Health at the Kansas City Health Department, answers questions during a press conference to discuss Kansas City’s measles preparedness on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Kansas City Health Department. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 10: MEASLES WILL INEVITABLY HIT KC, LEADERS SAY. THESE ZIP CODES HAVE HIGHER RISK

Kansas City health leaders are trying to prepare the public for the arrival of measles, which they say is inevitable. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Shorman

NO. 11: SEDGWICK COUNTY CONFIRMS MEASLES CASE IN UNVACCINATED CHILD. IT’S THE FIRST SINCE 2017

The Sedgwick County case joins more than 40 measles cases statewide. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

NO. 12: MEASLES OUTBREAK IN KANSAS CONTINUES TO GROW, INCHES CLOSER TO KANSAS CITY

Kansas reports 48 measles cases as outbreak continues. First case confirmed in Wichita. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert A. Cronkleton

Vials containing vaccines for measles, hepatitis B, polio, and other diseases.

NO. 13: WYANDOTTE COUNTY OFFERING LOW-COST MEASLES VACCINES TO PREVENT POTENTIAL OUTBREAK

As of May 12, reported cases remained in southwest Kansas. Neither Wyandotte nor Johnson Counties have reported active cases of the infectious disease. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sofi Zeman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.