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First Case of Measles This Year Confirmed in Central Iowa
Officials said the vaccinated adult caught measles during international travel, and 20 exposure sites were identified for people who may have been exposed.
On Wednesday, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the state's first measles case of 2026 in a vaccinated Polk County resident.
State health officials determined the resident contracted the virus while traveling internationally; vaccinated individuals typically experience milder illness and are less likely to spread the virus.
Between July 1 and July 5, the infected individual visited 20 public locations across Des Moines, Webster City, Altoona, and West Des Moines, according to Iowa HHS.
Anyone present at these sites during the specified times should monitor for symptoms for 21 days; those developing symptoms must call their healthcare provider before arriving.
With 2,170 confirmed measles cases nationwide in 2026, public health experts emphasize the routine childhood immunization series remains the strongest protection against infection.