Iowa health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of measles in 2026.The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case in a vaccinated adult who lives in central Iowa. The Polk County Health Department has since confirmed the person is a Polk County resident who recently traveled internationally.Polk County Health Department Director Juliann Van Liew said the department received confirmation of the positive measles test Wednesday night. She said there is a strong likelihood the person was exposed during recent international travel.“What’s really important about this case is that this person was in public spaces around the county for several days,” Van Liew said. “Which means that others around her and their community who also visited those spaces could be at risk for being exposed to measles and for catching it themselves.”Health officials are investigating the case and have identified several public locations where people may have been exposed while the person was contagious. The health department is asking anyone who was at those locations during the listed times to review the guidance and follow the recommended next steps.Van Liew said the person is recovering at home and doing well. She also said people around the individual are doing well.Health officials said the person was vaccinated, which makes the case rare. Van Liew said measles cases among fully vaccinated people happen about 3% of the time.“The good thing about that person being vaccinated is that they’re feeling better and that they’re recovering fine,” Van Liew said. “But also that they have a lower viral load, and so they’re less likely to actually spread measles to others because of that vaccination status.”People who believe they may have been exposed should check the health department’s list of exposure locations and times. Van Liew said anyone who was at one of those locations should fill out the health department’s short survey, even if they are not showing symptoms. Health officials will follow up with individualized guidance based on factors such as age, vaccination status and ability to stay home.Van Liew said symptoms can take up to three weeks to appear. Anyone experiencing symptoms should call their medical provider right away, especially if symptoms are getting worse.“Please don’t just show up at the emergency department or at the health department,” Van Liew said. “Please call in advance to say, ‘I have these symptoms. I’m worried.’”The health department said it is already working with some public locations to identify people who may have been exposed. Van Liew said health care locations were prioritized because patients there may be ill or immunocompromised.Van Liew said Polk County residents should be aware, but not alarmed.“I think this is a place where we should pay attention and be vigilant, but not overly concerned,” she said. “One good thing to note is that this is our first measles case this year, so we’re not seeing this circulating from community member to community member.”Van Liew said people who were not near the listed exposure locations between July 1 and July 5 have a very low risk right now. However, she said the risk is higher for people who are not fully vaccinated.Iowa saw nine measles cases in 2025.Van Liew said the health department has responded to measles cases multiple times in the past year and is prepared to manage potential exposures. She said measles continues to circulate in pockets across the country and that lower vaccination rates remain a concern.As of last year, Van Liew said, only 85% of eligible children in Polk County were fully vaccinated against measles. She said public health officials prefer that rate to be closer to 95% to support herd immunity.“Vaccination is what can protect us best,” Van Liew said.The Polk County Health Department provided the following locations where the individual traveled:Dollar General1428 E Ovid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316Wednesday, July 1st, 7:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.Family Dollar1251 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314Wednesday, July 1st 8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.MercyOne Des Moines Pediatrics Urgent Care330 Laurel St Suite 2100, Des Moines, IA 50314Thursday, July 2nd, 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.MercyOne Des Moines Imaging (Outpatient Radiology)1111 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314Thursday, July 2nd, 3:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church3848 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313Thursday, July 2nd, 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.Casa De Restauracion821 Seneca St, Webster City, IA 50595Friday, July 3rd, 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.Kwik Star505 Fair Meadow Dr, Webster City, IA 50595Friday, July 3rd, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Under Armour Factory House771 Bass Pro Dr NW Suite 225, Altoona, IA 50009Saturday, July 4th, 5 a.m. – noonIglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church3848 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313Saturday, July 4th, 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.Iowa Clinic Urgent Care – West Des Moines5950 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266Sunday, July 5th, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. » Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Iowa health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of measles in 2026.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case in a vaccinated adult who lives in central Iowa. The Polk County Health Department has since confirmed the person is a Polk County resident who recently traveled internationally.

Polk County Health Department Director Juliann Van Liew said the department received confirmation of the positive measles test Wednesday night. She said there is a strong likelihood the person was exposed during recent international travel.

“What’s really important about this case is that this person was in public spaces around the county for several days,” Van Liew said. “Which means that others around her and their community who also visited those spaces could be at risk for being exposed to measles and for catching it themselves.”

Health officials are investigating the case and have identified several public locations where people may have been exposed while the person was contagious. The health department is asking anyone who was at those locations during the listed times to review the guidance and follow the recommended next steps.

Van Liew said the person is recovering at home and doing well. She also said people around the individual are doing well.

Health officials said the person was vaccinated, which makes the case rare. Van Liew said measles cases among fully vaccinated people happen about 3% of the time.

“The good thing about that person being vaccinated is that they’re feeling better and that they’re recovering fine,” Van Liew said. “But also that they have a lower viral load, and so they’re less likely to actually spread measles to others because of that vaccination status.”

People who believe they may have been exposed should check the health department’s list of exposure locations and times. Van Liew said anyone who was at one of those locations should fill out the health department’s short survey, even if they are not showing symptoms. Health officials will follow up with individualized guidance based on factors such as age, vaccination status and ability to stay home.

Van Liew said symptoms can take up to three weeks to appear. Anyone experiencing symptoms should call their medical provider right away, especially if symptoms are getting worse.

“Please don’t just show up at the emergency department or at the health department,” Van Liew said. “Please call in advance to say, ‘I have these symptoms. I’m worried.’”

The health department said it is already working with some public locations to identify people who may have been exposed. Van Liew said health care locations were prioritized because patients there may be ill or immunocompromised.

Van Liew said Polk County residents should be aware, but not alarmed.

“I think this is a place where we should pay attention and be vigilant, but not overly concerned,” she said. “One good thing to note is that this is our first measles case this year, so we’re not seeing this circulating from community member to community member.”

Van Liew said people who were not near the listed exposure locations between July 1 and July 5 have a very low risk right now. However, she said the risk is higher for people who are not fully vaccinated.

Iowa saw nine measles cases in 2025.

Van Liew said the health department has responded to measles cases multiple times in the past year and is prepared to manage potential exposures. She said measles continues to circulate in pockets across the country and that lower vaccination rates remain a concern.

As of last year, Van Liew said, only 85% of eligible children in Polk County were fully vaccinated against measles. She said public health officials prefer that rate to be closer to 95% to support herd immunity.

“Vaccination is what can protect us best,” Van Liew said.

The Polk County Health Department provided the following locations where the individual traveled:

Dollar General

  • 1428 E Ovid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
  • Wednesday, July 1st, 7:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Family Dollar

  • 1251 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
  • Wednesday, July 1st 8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

MercyOne Des Moines Pediatrics Urgent Care

  • 330 Laurel St Suite 2100, Des Moines, IA 50314
  • Thursday, July 2nd, 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

MercyOne Des Moines Imaging (Outpatient Radiology)

  • 1111 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
  • Thursday, July 2nd, 3:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church

  • 3848 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313
  • Thursday, July 2nd, 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Casa De Restauracion

  • 821 Seneca St, Webster City, IA 50595
  • Friday, July 3rd, 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Kwik Star

  • 505 Fair Meadow Dr, Webster City, IA 50595
  • Friday, July 3rd, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Under Armour Factory House

  • 771 Bass Pro Dr NW Suite 225, Altoona, IA 50009
  • Saturday, July 4th, 5 a.m. – noon

Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church

  • 3848 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313
  • Saturday, July 4th, 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Iowa Clinic Urgent Care – West Des Moines

  • 5950 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
  • Sunday, July 5th, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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