WICHITA — State and local health officials are trying to contain a measles outbreak that started in May in the Kansas City area and has since spread to Wichita. There have been nine cases in Kansas so far, including six in the Wichita area.

The four newest cases are all linked to Sal’s Japanese Steakhouse in Wichita. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said a restaurant employee was connected to the outbreak in Kansas City. Two other restaurant employees later became infected. The fourth case is in an unvaccinated baby whose only known exposure was through the restaurant.

Health officials are asking anyone who dined at Sal’s Japanese Steakhouse, 6829 E. Kellogg Drive in Wichita, on the following dates – June 20, 23, 25 or 29, and July 3, 5 or 7 – and later developed an illness with fever and rash to contact their health care provider.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. With the creation of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, measles cases generally have been rare in the United States. However, measles still sickens approximately 20 million and kills 164,000 people worldwide each year.

This year, the United States has seen a resurgence of measles cases, with 554 confirmed cases reported in 20 states. That’s the highest number of cases since indigenous measles elimination was documented in the United States in 2000. But measles cases imported by overseas travelers continue to infect unvaccinated U.S. residents, health officials say.

Tell-tale symptoms of measles are fever and a blotchy rash. The Sedgwick County Health Department advises anyone with these symptoms to call the doctor’s office before seeking health care.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. The signs and symptoms of measles typically begin one to two weeks after someone is exposed to an infected person.

People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include infants and children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.