Iowa’s first case of measles this year was confirmed on Wednesday, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
Iowa HHS announced the first case of measles of 2026 in a news release Wednesday, July 8. The patient, who is a vaccinated adult resident of central Iowa, was infected during international travel.
In 2025, there was a total of nine measles cases in Iowa and 2,289 across the country, according to the release. There were 243 patients who were hospitalized with infections and three deaths. There have been 2,170 confirmed cases in 2026 nationwide this year. More than 90% of those infected were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Those who received the measles vaccination typically have milder illness and are less likely to spread the virus.
“While this is the first case of measles in Iowa in 2026, this is a reminder that measles continues circulating throughout the United States and throughout the world,” State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse said in the release. “The routine childhood immunization series is still our strongest protection against measles infection.”
Iowa HHS releases locations and times where infected individual could have spread measles
The infected individual visited these locations at these times while contagious, according to Iowa HHS:
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, red and watery eyes, runny nose and a rash. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes and breathes.
Those who may have been exposed to the infected individual are asked to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days and to call your medical providers or the nearest emergency room before arrival and tell them you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa confirms first case of measles in 2026
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
