Measles outbreaks are raging across multiple states as government vaccination campaigns falter. The situation highlights the growing divide between federal health authorities and parents exercising their rights to make medical decisions for their children.
At a glance:
• Kansas measles outbreak has expanded from 10 to 23 cases across six counties, primarily affecting children
• The Kansas outbreak is genetically linked to a larger outbreak in Texas that has resulted in 327 cases
• Vaccination rates in several Kansas counties are alarmingly low, with some as low as 41% among kindergartners
• Ohio is facing a new outbreak with 10 cases in Ashtabula County, while Oklahoma and New Mexico also report ongoing outbreaks
• Many parents are opting for alternative treatments instead of vaccines, creating tension with public health authorities
Outbreak Spreads Across Multiple States
The measles outbreak in Kansas has more than doubled in size, now affecting 23 individuals across six counties as federal health authorities push for increased vaccination. The outbreak primarily impacts children in Grant, Morton, Stevens, Haskell, Gray, and Kiowa counties, with no hospitalizations or deaths reported so far.
The Kansas Department of Health confirmed through genetic sequencing that the outbreak is connected to the much larger situation in Texas, where 327 cases and one death have been recorded. A death was also confirmed in New Mexico, where doctors are calling for vaccine promotion from the federal government. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely but stress that vaccines are the primary solution.
Low Vaccination Rates Raise Concerns
Several of the affected Kansas counties are reporting vaccination rates well below the 95% threshold that health officials claim is necessary for community protection. Some counties have kindergarten vaccination rates as low as 41%, reflecting growing parental concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy.
The CDC reports that nationwide, about 93% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine in the 2023-24 school year, below their recommended 95% target. Kansas and Ohio have MMR vaccination rates of approximately 90% and 89% for kindergartners, and health officials say this is a growing and concerning trend.
Parents Seek Alternatives As Outbreaks Spread
Even though government health authorities push vaccines as the only solution, many families are turning to alternative approaches. Some parents opt for vitamin supplements and natural immunity approaches rather than following the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedule.
Measles spreads through breathing, coughing, or sneezing and can cause symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a characteristic rash. While most children recover fully, health officials warn that complications can include pneumonia and brain swelling in rare cases.
Fourteen additional states have reported isolated measles cases in 2025, with health authorities typically attributing these cases to international travel.
