A case of measles has been confirmed in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported the case in central Iowa was in an unvaccinated adult. It is the first case in the state since 2019.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been three confirmed measles deaths this year with 1,024 confirmed cases across 31 states and jurisdictions. The CDC describes the airborne disease as “extremely infectious” and states an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized annually with 400 to 500 people dying in the U.S. each year before the introduction of the measles vaccine.

Kelsey Striegel, family nurse practitioner at Washington County Hospital and Clinics, explains how it spreads, “Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. It spreads through coughing and sneezing. And the biggest problem with measles is that people don’t know they have it until many days after exposure because it can take between seven and 21 days to start to show the symptoms.”

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services outlines that the MMR vaccine series is 97% effective against measles. The two-series vaccine is typically given with the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years. In Iowa, currently 84% of two-year olds are vaccinated. The threshold required to prevent outbreaks is 95%.

Those who think they have been exposed to a measles case or who may have symptoms should call a medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time, and tell them about any exposures or symptoms.

 

CDC image/infographic