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Two Measles Cases In Johnson County Spur Investigation

Kansas state health officials confirmed two cases of measles in Johnson County Friday. The cases may be linked to four others on the Missouri side of Kansas City.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman Aimee Rosenow says everyone at risk of exposure is being contacted, and the investigation into the two Johnson County cases is ongoing.

One of the patients is an unvaccinated child, the other is an adult. 

"We're not certain of the vaccination status of the adult, but they are connected," she says.

According to Rosenow, it appears that some of the four Clay County, Mo., patients confirmed to have measles in mid-May may have had contact with the patients in Johnson County. The KDHE says vaccination remains the best protection against measles. 

Bryan Thompson is a reporter for Kansas Public Radio.

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