Kansas City officials report possible measles exposure at KCI. What to know
Kansas City officials are warning of a possible measles exposure at Kansas City International Airport, after they say a person with the first confirmed case of measles in the metro area since 2019 spent time at the airport earlier this month.
The Kansas resident confirmed to be infected with the potentially deadly disease was in a terminal at the airport on Nov. 5 from approximately 2 a.m. until noon, and again on Nov. 10 from 2 a.m. until 4 a.m., according to a news release from the city.
This is the eighth case of measles in the state of Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Health, and the first case in Kansas City since 2019, according to a presentation from health officials earlier this year.
Any exposed person is expected to have symptoms between Wednesday and Dec. 1, the release said.
Symptoms of measles generally feature a rash between seven and 21 days after exposure with symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
In March, health officials said Kansas City has not reached herd immunity, as the state’s measles vaccination rate is 90.14% as of April, according to state data.
“We want people to stay calm but stay aware,” Kansas City Health Department director Dr. Marvia Jones said in the statement. Jones was one of several city health personnel who warned city councilors that Kansas City could see measles cases amid outbreaks earlier this year.
“Measles is highly contagious, but vaccination offers strong protection. If you haven’t received your MMR vaccine, now is the time to get it. I also urge people to avoid travel if they haven’t been vaccinated.”
Her statements came after a Kansas measles outbreak that began in January and affected 10 counties: Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton, Pawnee, Seward and Stevens counties.
A total of 87 cases of measles were confirmed in the outbreak. More than 80 percent of the cases were children, and more than 90 percent involved patients who were not vaccinated against measles, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said.
The Kansas outbreak was declared over in August, according to the Kansas health department.
Measles, a highly infectious, airborne, respiratory disease caused by a virus, can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears. The virus is only spread to others by an exposed person with symptoms.
The city is encouraging people to get the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine, as the best option to combat the disease, stating the “very low” risk of infection after receiving it.
Kansas City residents can receive vaccinations at the health department’s immunization clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, where measles vaccines are free for children under 18.
People unsure of their vaccination status are asked to contact their primary care provider or the health department.
The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed to this reporting.
This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM.
