By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

As of Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Kansas has 37 confirmed cases of measles in eight counties in the southwest part of the state. Kiowa County has six documented cases of measles at this time, according to the Kansas Department of Health data, accessible at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles-Data.

According to Pratt County Health Director Darcie Van der VyVer, the KDHE site online is the best place to get updated and detailed information about the measles outbreaks that seem to be on the increase around the state at this time.

“If you are traveling anywhere, I would recommend checking in to see if your vaccinations, especially for children, are up to date,” Van der VyVer said. “Get the shots; they can help you avoid a lot of misery.”

The KDHE released information last week that there may have been exposures to measles at a hotel in Garden City over three days. KDHE officials said the time frame of the potential exposures at the Clarion Inn at 1900 East Kansas Avenue. was from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 8, 9 and 10.

Apparently, an employee at the hotel tested positive for measles over a week ago and had no direct contact with hotel guests while on shift but KDHE said in a release that measles virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Because the measles virus is highly contagious, anyone who may have been exposed to measles and should check to see if they have received a measles-containing vaccine, like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, have medical documentation of past measles infection, or have laboratory evidence of immunity. People who are not vaccinated and have not previously had measles are especially vulnerable to becoming infected.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It spreads easily when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. People who are not vaccinated or lack immunity are especially at risk of becoming infected. Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a skin rash develops and usually starts on the face and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms and legs.

The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine, Van der VyVer said.

Kansas has confirmed measles cases in eight counties at this time, including Finney, Ford, and Kiowa County. Haskell County has the most with eight cases, Stevens County has seven, Kiowa County has six, and the rest have five or fewer.

For questions, contact the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline by phone at 877-427-7317 (option 5) or by email at kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov.