TANEY COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed the state’s first case of measles in 2025 on Friday.
According to a release, a child who was “associated with recent international travel” tested positive for the illness in Taney County, which is near the Branson area. The vaccination status of the child is not yet known, DHSS said.
Officials go on to state that the child was likely limited from public exposure upon returning to Missouri and that anyone in contact with the child has been notified.
The news comes at a time when eight other states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, and New Mexico–-are in an active measles outbreak status, with Texas reaching over 700 cases.
Measles symptoms show one to two weeks after contact, with tiny white spots appearing in the mouth at first before spreading into a rash throughout the body. It spreads through infectious droplets or airborne when someone infected coughs, breathes, or sneezes.
According to DHSS, “measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and death.”
“For those unvaccinated or those unsure of their vaccination status, now is the time to review records and get caught up if needed,” Dr. George Turabelidze, state epidemiologist with DHSS, added in the release.
To read the full report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, click here.