Southern Iowa measles outbreak spreads to 12 confirmed cases, health officials warn
Advertisement
Updated: 4:32 PM CDT Aug 17, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Southern Iowa measles outbreak spreads to 12 confirmed cases, health officials warn
Updated: 4:32 PM CDT Aug 17, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
DES MOINES, Iowa —
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and local public health agencies are responding to a measles outbreak in southern Iowa that has grown to 12 confirmed cases
Previous video above: Iowa’s first measles case of 2026 reflects a changing reality for doctors, health officials
Advertisement
As of Aug. 16, health officials said there is evidence the virus is spreading from person to person. Iowa HHS and local public health agencies are working with affected families and community leaders to identify additional illnesses, provide information and help people access vaccinations
Measles is highly contagious and can spread to people who are not immune after they are exposed to the virus
State and local health officials have also identified locations visited by people while they were contagious, creating the possibility that others may have been exposed
You can find a list of those locations in an interactive map and at the end of this article. Anyone who was at one of those locations during the dates and times identified by health officials should monitor for symptoms
Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough, red or watery eyes, a runny nose and a rash
People who believe they were exposed and develop symptoms should call their health care provider or nearest emergency room before arriving and tell staff about the possible measles exposure
This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Natural Grocer’s Clive
- 8650 Hickman Rd., Clive, IA
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Vero Health Center
- 630 S. 50th St., West Des Moines, IA
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Office Depot
- 3910 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Menards
- 12000 Hickman Rd., Clive, IA
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Menards
- 6000 SE 14th St., Des Moines, IA
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Wells Hometown Drug
- 208 E. Franklin St., Bloomfield, IA
- Thursday, July 30, 2026, 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
JR Feed and Supply
- 17599 200th St., Bloomfield, IA
- Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Polk County reported one measles case in July, the first in the state for 2026. There were nine cases of measles confirmed in Iowa in 2025
