VAN BUREN COUNTY, Iowa — State health authorities confirmed a cluster of 12 measles cases in southern Iowa as of Aug. 16 and warned that there is evidence of person-to-person transmission. Local public health leaders are asking residents to verify their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination status, monitor closely for symptoms and contact medical providers if they suspect infection.
Where exposures may have occurred
Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services released a list of locations and times where people may have been exposed. The sites span parts of the Des Moines metro and Bloomfield in southern Iowa:
- Natural Grocers, 8650 Hickman Rd., Clive — July 28, 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Vero Health Center, 630 S. 50th St., West Des Moines — July 28, 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
- Office Depot, 3910 University Ave., West Des Moines — July 28, 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Menards, 12000 Hickman Rd., Clive — July 28, 6:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
- Menards, 6000 SE 14th St., Des Moines — July 28, 7:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
- Wells Hometown Drug, 208 E. Franklin St., Bloomfield — July 30, 4:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
- JR Feed and Supply, 17599 200th St., Bloomfield — Aug. 9, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
| Date reported | Confirmed cases | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| As of Aug. 16 | 12 | Evidence of person-to-person spread |
Symptoms and precautions
Health officials say early signs of measles can resemble a common respiratory illness. Typical initial symptoms include:
- High fever (can reach 104°F)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red or watery eyes
A distinctive rash usually appears three to five days after symptoms begin, often starting at the hairline and spreading down the body.
"Measles is a very contagious illness and can cause a lot of serious side effects,"
The comment was made by Lindee Thomas, Van Buren County Public Health administrator, who urged residents to take the outbreak seriously even though there were no confirmed cases in Van Buren County at the time of the release. Thomas also noted the county has historically had low MMR vaccine coverage, a pattern reflected in several counties across southern Iowa.
What residents should do
Public health officials recommend that anyone who believes they may have been exposed or who develops symptoms should call their health care provider before visiting in person so clinicians can take appropriate infection-control steps. Health departments typically advise people to:
- Confirm their MMR vaccination history with a health care provider or their immunization registry;
- Stay home and avoid public places if ill;
- Seek medical guidance by phone if measles is suspected to limit further spread.
Because measles is highly transmissible — spread through respiratory droplets and lingering in the air of enclosed spaces — public health officials emphasize vaccination remains the best protection against outbreaks.
Local impact and context
Although the immediate cluster has been tracked to locations in the Des Moines metro and Bloomfield, health officials across southern Iowa are monitoring the situation closely. Lower vaccination rates in pockets of the state increase vulnerability to outbreaks, public health leaders say, and they encourage communities to review immunization records and consult with local health departments regarding clinic availability or catch-up vaccination options.
State public health authorities continue to investigate and will update the public as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents who may have been at the listed locations during the posted times should remain vigilant for symptoms and seek medical advice if they become ill.
For more information, contact your county health department or the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
