Local clinic supervisor reacts to record-high measles cases

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Recorded measles cases in the United States have reached over 2,300, the highest the country has seen in 35 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kristi Billings, interim clinic supervisor with the St. Joseph Health Department, gave her thoughts on why measles cases are rising.

"The vaccination rates are going down," said Billings. "That means less people are fully vaccinated, which helps that disease process spread faster."

Billings said she sees a lot of controversy when it comes to immunizations and mentioned that people should be well informed on what could happen if they don't get vaccinations.

"Everybody has their own thought processes with them (vaccinations), and that's fine," said Billings. "The vaccinations can prevent some of the serious illnesses when it comes to measles."

Measles has been seen in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska in 2026.

Billings shared what measles symptoms to keep an eye on.

"You would see a cough, runny nose, really high fever, and sometimes people will get red and watery in the eyes," said Billings. "After that, you'll see that rash usually come a few days after those other symptoms start.

For more information about measles, visit the CDC website.