Health & Environment

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have identified 18 cases of measles in northeast Kansas – 14 cases in Johnson County, 3 cases in Linn County and 1 case in Miami County. Health officials continue to investigate this outbreak and are working to identify contacts. Children who are ill or susceptible to measles are excluded from the child care facility as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is an ongoing investigation and updated information will be provided as it becomes available.

Update: Measles Outbreak in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, April 20, 2018)

Update: Measles Outbreak in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, April 16, 2018)

Measles in Missouri Resident (News Release, April 12, 2018)

Update: Measles Outbreak in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, April 4, 2018)

Update: Measles Outbreak in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, March 28, 2017)

Update: Measles Outbreak in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, March 21, 2018)

Additional Cases of Measles Identified in Johnson, Linn and Miami Counties (News Release, March 19, 2018)

7 People with Measles Identified in Johnson and Miami Counties (News Release, March 16, 2018)

Three measles cases confirmed in Johnson County (News Release, March 13, 2018)

Johnson County Measles Investigation FAQ

Top 4 things parents need to know about measles 

Las 4 cosas principales que deben saber los padres sobre el sarampión 

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: Measles Clinical Information

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS: Healthcare Facility Infection Control Recommendations for Suspect Measles Cases

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) has confirmed three cases of measles in a Johnson County, Kan. child care facility. All identified cases are in children less than one year of age, who are too young to be vaccinated for the disease. Those at risk for the disease have been contacted and the investigation is ongoing.

In order to prevent the spread of measles, the affected children and others they have come in contact with have been excluded from the child care facility for 21 days following the last exposure to the disease, per the Kansas Administrative Regulation 28-1-6. Any child that has been exposed to measles should not attend any childcare facility or school. This protects the community from further spread.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Since the creation of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, measles cases are rare in the United States; however, it still sickens millions and kills 146,000 people worldwide each year.

“Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles in children and adults. Make sure children have the MMR vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old, and again before they enter kindergarten,” said JCDHE Director Lougene Marsh.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The signs and symptoms of measles typically begin one to two weeks after someone is exposed to an infected person. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Blotchy rash on the skin, which spreads from the head to the trunk then to the lower extremities (Measles can be spread to others from four days before to four days after the rash appears.)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Feeling run down, achy
• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)

“If your child has a fever, keep them home except to see a healthcare provider. If you need to visit your healthcare provider, call ahead so appropriate measures can be taken to protect other patients and staff,” said Marsh.

People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include infants and children less than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

For more information about measles: http://www.cdc.gov/features/Measles/index.html

The new shingles vaccine that is 90 percent effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication from shingles, is now available at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s immunization clinics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults over age 50 get two doses of the shingles vaccine Shingrix®, separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Shingrix is the preferred vaccine because it provides stronger protection than Zostavax®, a shingles vaccine in use since 2006. Shingrix is also recommended for people who have already gotten Zostavax.

You can get Shingrix whether or not you remember having had chickenpox in the past. Studies show that more than 99 percent of Americans 40 years and older have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having the disease. Chickenpox and shingles are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles. If you had shingles in the past, you can get Shingrix to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. Consult with your healthcare provider or one of JCDHE’s immunization nurses about the best time to receive Shingrix.

Shingrix is available on a walk-in basis at the immunization clinics in Olathe and Mission: https://www.jocogov.org/dept/health-and-environment/health/immunizations/adults

Many health insurance plans will cover the vaccine. Contact your insurer to find out.

• What Everyone Should Know about Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix): https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html
• Recombinant Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine Information Statement: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles-recombinant.pdf
• More information about Shingles: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/overview.html;
• Culebrilla – Información general: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/overview-sp.html

The Tdap vaccine protects adults from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Whooping cough can be a life-threatening illness for infants less than a year old. Babies can catch the disease from household members and caregivers who might not know they are infected. Those who have close contact with infants should get vaccinated at this clinic offered by the child care licensing and health services divisions of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Childcare providers, parents, grandparents and adult caregivers of children

WHEN:
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE:  
St. Joseph Early Education Center
11525 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203

WHAT TO BRING:
$20 or insurance card. JCDHE is a KanCare provider for all managed care organizations: Amerigroup, Sunflower and United Community. JCDHE accepts private insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Coventry and UnitedHealthcare. We do not take insurance from Medicare, Coventry Advantra or Humana Gold Plus for this service. Check your health benefit plan to confirm coverage for payment of services.

QUESTIONS?
Call 913-826-1261