Measles hasn’t affected the KVOE listening area, but health officials continue to watch its spread.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, Lyon County Health Officer Dr Ladun Oyenuga said measles is contagious. It’s also preventable.
Health officials say the measles mumps rubella vaccine is safe and effective, normally administered when kids are 12-15 months old and again when they are between 4-6 years old. Residents who aren’t sure about their vaccination status can reach out to their health providers.
Measles had been limited to southwest Kansas until cases were reported in Reno and Sedgwick counties last weekend. There are now nearly 60 confirmed cases in Kansas and over 1,000 nationally as part of 14 different outbreaks across the country so far this year.
Measles can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a given area. Anybody who is infected can also spread measles to up to 90 percent of the unvaccinated people around them.
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a red rash that typically spreads from the face across the rest of the body. Residents are told to seek treatment and avoid public spaces if they develop those symptoms.
