TOPEKA, KS – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with local health departments, has issued a public health alert regarding a confirmed measles exposure at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The exposure occurred in the Fifth-Floor Pediatric Unit of Building 4 between Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 10 p.m., and Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 4:45 p.m.
Authorities emphasize that the risk of exposure is limited to individuals who were in this specific unit during the specified dates and times. Those in other parts of the hospital or its departments are not considered exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus, capable of lingering in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Due to its ease of transmission, anyone who was a patient, staff member, or visitor to the affected pediatric unit during the designated period may have been exposed and should take immediate steps to protect their health and prevent further spread.
Recommended Actions for Potentially Exposed Individuals:
- Assess Susceptibility: Verify your immunity status by checking vaccination records (such as the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella – MMR – vaccine), medical documentation of a past measles infection, or laboratory evidence of immunity. Unvaccinated individuals or those without a prior measles infection are particularly vulnerable.
- Monitor for Symptoms: Watch for any signs of measles for 21 days following your last potential exposure. Key symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a new or unexplained skin rash.
- If exposed on July 1, 2025, monitor until the end of Tuesday, July 22.
- If exposed on July 2, 2025, monitor until the end of Wednesday, July 23.
- If exposed on July 3, 2025, monitor until the end of Thursday, July 24.If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider or local health department immediately.
- Avoid High-Risk Settings: If you are not immune, consider self-isolating to prevent potential transmission. If staying home is not possible, avoid large gatherings and contact with individuals highly susceptible to measles, including unvaccinated persons, pregnant women, infants, and immunocompromised individuals. If medical care is needed, call your provider beforehand to inform them of potential measles exposure, allowing them to take necessary precautions.
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: For any questions regarding your health or immunity status, contact your healthcare provider. They can assess your need for post-exposure treatment to prevent or lessen the severity of a potential infection.
Measles typically presents with cold-like symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A characteristic skin rash usually develops three to five days later, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body.
The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination with the MMR vaccine. While two doses of the MMR vaccine offer robust protection, a small percentage of vaccinated individuals (approximately 3 out of 100) can still contract measles if exposed to the virus.
For further inquiries, contact the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317 or via email at kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov. Additional information, including vaccine record resources and frequently asked questions, can be found on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Measles Resource Hub at http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/measles.
