Health officials are urging Johnson County residents to check whether they visited two Overland Park businesses Sept. 7 after a confirmed measles case in the Kansas City metro.
Jackson County Public Health (JCPH) announced the case Monday, Sept. 14, in an eastern Jackson County resident who was infectious when visiting both locations, the Kansas City Star reported. The infected person had been vaccinated against measles.
The two Overland Park exposure sites and time windows are:
- Kyoto Sushi and Steak, 6792 W. 135th St., Sept. 7, noon to 4:30 p.m.
- Pan-Asia Supermarket, 12035 Metcalf Ave., Sept. 7, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Anyone present at either location during those hours is considered possibly exposed and should monitor for symptoms for 21 days, according to Jackson County Public Health.
Johnson County residents with questions can call the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) at 913-826-1303.
What to watch for
Measles symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after exposure, according to JCPH. They can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash that starts on the face and spreads downward.
The virus is highly contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, and can linger in the air for up to two hours after the person leaves, according to KQ2.
People who believe they were exposed should call a health care provider before going to a clinic or emergency room so staff can take precautions against further spread.
Unvaccinated people who were possibly exposed should isolate for 21 days. Those who have received at least one measles vaccine dose are not required to isolate. Pregnant women, children younger than 5 and immunocompromised individuals who were exposed and are unvaccinated should contact a health care provider or health department immediately. Measles immune globulin can be given within six days of exposure to help prevent or lessen illness.
Investigation details
Bridgette Shaffer, health director at Jackson County Public Health, said in a statement Sept. 14 that the department is "working to identify and contact everyone who may have been exposed, and we're coordinating closely with our state health department as this investigation continues."
JCPH said the case appears to have originated from an exposure outside Jackson County. No additional cases had been identified as of Monday afternoon, and officials said the risk to the general public is considered low.
JCPH noted that breakthrough cases in vaccinated people are rare but can occur because no vaccine is 100% effective. Vaccinated individuals who contract measles typically experience milder illness and are less likely to spread the virus.
The infected person also visited the JCPH building in Lee's Summit on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10, prompting the agency to close that facility Sept. 14. It was expected to reopen Tuesday, Sept. 15.
As of Sept. 10, the CDC had confirmed 3,294 measles cases in the United States in 2026, the highest annual count since the U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, according to USAFacts.
Jackson County Public Health set up a measles hotline at 816-404-9889, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available at jcph.org/measles-2026.
