Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health wants to encourage everyone in the community to get vaccinated against measles as Kansas’ total number of cases had risen to 32 as of Wednesday.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that is airborne and lasts on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours,” according to a news release from the department.
All known Kansas cases are currently in the southwestern part of the state, but Douglas County is not currently at herd immunity levels, according to the release.
“Since measles is so contagious, 95% of a population needs to be vaccinated to have herd immunity,” according to the release. “Herd immunity happens when enough people are immune to a disease, making it harder for it to spread and helping protect those who aren’t immune.”
Some parts of Douglas County have as low as 80% immunity, meaning that 1 in 5 kindergartners in the county are unprotected against the virus, according to the release.
The two-shot MMR vaccine — measles, mumps and rubella — lasts for a lifetime. Learn more about it on the CDC’s website at this link.
If you don’t know whether you’re vaccinated or if you want to get vaccinated, call LDCPH at 785-843-0721.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that begins at the hairline and spreads downward to the torso of the body, according to the release. If you think you may have measles or may have been exposed, contact LDCPH at 785-843-0721 or call your primary care provider, according to the release.
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