KANSAS (KSNT) - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is alerting Kansans that a positive case of measles has been discovered.

On Thursday, the KDHE reported that a resident in Stevens County tested positive for measles. The KDHE said it's unknown if this case is linked to the ongoing measles outbreak in the USA. The KDHE is alerting individuals who could've come in contact with the individual.

Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease that spreads through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. On average, people infected with measles can infect about 12 to 18 others in a susceptible population. Typical measles cases take about 11-12 days to incubate, with a rash appearing two to four days after the first symptoms become apparent. The KDHE said the best protection against measles is vaccination.

The KDHE says the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent the disease.

"Adults are protected from measles if they have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, were born before 1957, or have evidence of immunity from a blood test," the KDHE wrote.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued an alert on Monday, March 3, regarding cases of measles being reported in several states. Citing a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the KDHE said just over 160 cases of measles have been identified in the nation, with the most coming from Texas.