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Geary County health official: Kansas measles cases rise to 10; local vaccination rate about 75%
Summary
County public health reported 10 measles cases in Kansas and no confirmed cases in Geary County. Health staff will launch a media campaign and work with schools and WIC to promote MMR vaccination; county coverage for one-dose MMR is about 75%.
Geary County public health officials reported that confirmed measles cases in Kansas rose from six to 10 over the last week, but said there were no confirmed cases in Geary County.
County public health staff said Geary County’s one-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) coverage is about 75 percent and urged higher uptake to strengthen community protection. “We’re working on a media campaign right now. It’s gonna be Facebook and possibly the radio,” the county public health official said, adding staff are talking with local schools about sending email blasts to families.
The county official told commissioners that, statewide, nine of the 10 infected people were unvaccinated and most were 17 years old. The official noted that one-dose coverage for measles is about 93 percent nationally and that higher vaccination rates reduce transmission risk.
Public-health staff reminded commissioners that the MMR vaccine can be given beginning at six months of age for outbreak response and said the department will encourage parents and providers to follow Centers for Disease Control guidance on early vaccination when appropriate. The department also plans to use WIC and clinic visits to reinforce vaccine messaging for new parents.
The public-health report noted other trends: active TB contact tracing was ongoing but contained, avian influenza remained at low risk for humans, acute respiratory illnesses were declining as the region moved into spring, influenza showed a minor uptick and gastrointestinal illnesses had increased slightly. The department also reported one case each of salmonella and varicella (chickenpox). Clinic and WIC programs are operating within expected volumes; staff are recruiting for a registered dietitian and a registered nurse.
Commissioners asked about outreach strategies, and staff said they would deploy social media, radio and school communication tools. No formal public-health action or county-level restrictions were proposed at the meeting.
The health department said it would share campaign materials with school districts and partner agencies and notify the commission if local cases appear.
