Health authorities in Iowa are currently looking into the state’s first recorded case of measles this year. The individual affected was vaccinated and had recently traveled abroad. Natalia Gomez del Campo from KCCI reports live from the Polk County Health Department, highlighting that such cases tend to rise during summer as more people travel. Officials are urging everyone, especially travelers, to check their MMR vaccination status.
It’s notable that last year, more than 2,200 cases were documented across the United States, with Iowa confirming nine of those. This year, over 2,100 cases have already been reported nationwide, making Iowa’s case the first of the year. Currently, only about 95% of Polk County residents have received the MMR vaccine, a percentage that health officials believe makes communities more vulnerable. With schools reopening and cases on the rise, it wasn’t entirely unexpected for officials to encounter this situation. They’re prepared for it to be an ongoing concern. Unfortunately, although Iowa has seen fewer cases this year, measles remains endemic in various parts of the country, with clusters still reported in several states. The public health department is now taking special measures to identify patients who may have been exposed.
The CDC classifies measles as one of the most contagious diseases globally. The Polk County Health Department indicates that the infected individual visited various places in central Iowa between July 1 and July 5, before the illness was recognized. KCCI has created an infographic detailing these exposure sites, including a Dollar General store located on East Ovid in Des Moines. The health department is urging individuals who were present at these locations during the specified times to consult the provided guidance and take necessary actions.
Anyone who was at these locations should fill out a brief survey to assist health officials in tracking potential exposures. Symptoms of measles can take up to three weeks to show. Polk County Health Department Director Juliann Van Liew advises anyone experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider immediately, rather than showing up in person, to avoid further complications.
In an effort to manage the situation, the health department is collaborating with some public venues to pinpoint those who may have been exposed, prioritizing healthcare facilities where patients might be vulnerable.
