The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the state’s first measles case of the year. The case involves an unvaccinated adult in central Iowa who tested positive at the State Hygienic Laboratory. This marks Iowa’s first reported measles case since 2019.
The individual is part of a broader, evolving national outbreak. Iowa now joins 31 other U.S. jurisdictions that have reported measles cases in 2025. So far this year, the outbreak has led to 1,024 confirmed cases and three deaths nationwide.
According to HHS, a comprehensive investigation has been completed, and public health officials are reaching out to people identified as having close contact with the individual. No large-scale public exposure is expected.
“Prevention starts with vaccination,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, Iowa’s State Medical Director. “The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is our most effective defense. It protects not only the person vaccinated but also those in the community who cannot be vaccinated—such as infants and individuals with weakened immune systems.”
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and a rash. The illness can lead to serious health complications: about 1 in 10 people infected in the U.S. require hospitalization, and between 1 to 3 in every 1,000 children with measles die, even with access to quality healthcare.
The MMR vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles. The first dose is recommended between 12 and 15 months of age, followed by a second dose at 4 to 6 years. In Iowa, 84% of 2-year-olds have received the MMR vaccine—below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. Iowans covered by Medicaid can receive the vaccine at no cost, with no age restrictions.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms or who believes they have been exposed should call their healthcare provider or emergency room before arriving to avoid spreading the virus.
For more information, visit the Iowa HHS measles information page at: https://hhs.iowa.gov/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/disease-information.