Measles

Weekly Measles Updates

Recent News Updates from Iowa HHS

• August 24, 2026 - Iowa HHS Issues Latest Measles Outbreak Information and Additional Exposure Location
• August 21, 2026 - Iowa Health Officials Provide Update on Measles Outbreak, Release Additional Locations of Potential Measles Exposures
• August 17, 2026 - Iowa Health Officials Confirm Measles Cases in Southern Iowa, Release Locations of Potential Measles Exposures

Measles Case Counts: Updated 8/20/2026

Data will be updated weekly on Thursdays

Exposure Locations

Iowa HHS and local health officials identify locations visited by individuals while contagious, where others might have been exposed to measles. Current exposure locations with dates occurring in the last four weeks will be listed and updated below. 

Anyone present at the following locations during the listed date and time should monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days from their exposure. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash. 

If you think you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms, call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them before arrival that you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms.

National Outbreaks and Iowa Data

Learn more about national measles outbreaks in the U.S.

• Prior to August 16, 2026, Iowa had identified 1 case of measles in 2026. Please reference the Measles Case Counts section, above, for information about the current outbreak. 
• 9 cases of measles were identified in 2025.

Iowa HHS and local public health departments conduct thorough investigations of each case and reach out to any identified contacts. The best prevention for measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Learn more about historical case counts in Iowa.

Overview

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with a cough, runny nose, red eyes and fever. Then a rash of red bumps and flat spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, an estimated 3 to 4 million people were infected with measles each year in the United States. Since then, widespread use of measles virus-containing vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases compared with the pre-vaccine era. Measles is reportable to Iowa HHS by Iowa Administrative Code 641 IAC 1.

• What Should Iowans Know About Measles
• Evaluating Patients for Measles (636.82 KB).pdf (636.82 KB) .pdf
• CDC: Measles
• Iowa HHS measles fact sheet (164.85 KB).pdf (164.85 KB) .pdf

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms begin to appear about 7-21 days after being infected. The rash usually appears about 14 days after being infected.

• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Fever (higher than 101° F)
• Rash (flat red areas all over the body, with raised bumps)
• Koplik spots (small spots with white or bluish-white centers on the inside of the cheeks)

If you think that you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency room before arriving to be tested. Do not arrive at a health care facility without giving advance notice.

Causes & Risk Factors

Measles is caused by breathing in a virus carried on droplets from other people’s coughs and sneezes and less commonly from objects recently contaminated with infected droplets. Measles is one of the most contagious infections known to exist. People can spread measles for several days before they get the rash until several days after the rash develops.

It is routine for children to be vaccinated against measles at 12 months and 4 years of age. Those who have not had these two doses of vaccine are at risk for measles. People born before 1957 likely had measles as children and are less likely to catch measles, but being vaccinated is a good way to be sure. Measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines used today.

Spread & Infection

Measles is spread through the air by droplets from the nose, throat, and mouth of an infected person. A person may breathe in the droplets or touch a surface contaminated with the droplets. 

An infected person is able to spread measles from 4 days before the rash starts through 4 days after the rash appears

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will suspect measles based on the symptoms, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally or was exposed to someone with a fever and a rash. 

Laboratory tests (from a throat or nose swab or a urine specimen) can confirm the diagnosis.

Prevention

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with a measles containing vaccine. Because of high immunization rates, measles is rare in Iowa.  

CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.  The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective.  Two doses of vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles.  One dose is about 93% effective.  

Measles vaccine is required for entry into Iowa public and private schools, as well as licensed child care centers and preschools. Following the Iowa requirements on immunization greatly reduces the risk of children catching measles.

For more information, visit the Iowa Immunization webpage.

• MMR vaccine recommendations for the public (115.2 KB).pdf (115.2 KB) .pdf
• MMR vaccination flowchart for health care providers (90.5 KB).pdf (90.5 KB) .pdf
• MMR Q & A for health care providers (218.86 KB).pdf (218.86 KB) .pdf
• MMR Vaccination:  What Everyone Should Know
• MMR Vaccine Information Statement

Treatment

There is no treatment for measles. However, there are actions that can be taken to protect those who have been recently exposed.

Immune globulin (IG) is sometimes used to treat someone who has been exposed and thought to likely get sick. If given within six days of exposure IG can either prevent the disease or make the symptoms less severe.

Measles vaccine can be given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of exposure. The vaccine will either prevent the disease or make symptoms less severe.

• Measles PEP Chart (174.99 KB).pdf (174.99 KB) .pdf
• Measles post-exposure prophylaxis information (201.78 KB).pdf (201.78 KB) .pdf
• Measles prophylaxis instructions (169.99 KB).pdf (169.99 KB) .pdf

If You May Be Infected

Non-immune persons exposed to a person with confirmed measles should stay in their home from five days after the first possible exposure through 21 days after their last possible exposure to the person with confirmed measles. 

Public health officials will work directly with K-12 school officials to determine which exclusions are appropriate.

Call your healthcare provider and discuss your symptoms and any possible exposure before showing up at the clinic. The healthcare provider will advise you to either come to the clinic or arrange for you to be seen at a different location so other people are not exposed.

Measles Data

Reported Cases in Iowa - 2025

*Household contact
**Exposure at known community location
***Without known source of exposure

For Healthcare Providers

Laboratory Testing

Immediately call the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology at (800) 362-2736 if you suspect measles in a patient. Iowa HHS will assist in determining the appropriate testing to be done based upon the patient history. Iowa HHS will provide a test request form.

Resources