KANSAS CITY — Kansas City health officials are warning the public that measles could soon reach the metro area.
So far this year, hundreds of cases have bene reported across the US, including 37 cases in Kansas; and while there's only been one case in Missouri thus far, in Branson, health officials say one infected visitor could change that.
Dr. Marvia Jones, director of the Kansas City Health Department, says declining vaccination rates put unvaccinated residents at the highest risk.
The health department is taking proactive measures by offering free vaccines to children 18 and under.
Nationally, there have been about 900 cases, two-thirds of those in Texas.
Because of the outbreaks, Mexico's Ministry of Health has now issued a travel advisory for the United States. The advisory recommends that travelers are up to date on their vaccinations and also suggests that they wear masks, wash their hands often and practice social distancing if they come to the U.S.
583 cases of the measles have spilled over into Mexico, with 560 of them in the border state of Chihuahua alone.
