ap photo A notice for a health alert about measles is posted on the door of a medical facility in Seattle in 2019.

The first case of measles since 2019 was reported in Iowa on Friday — an unvaccinated man somewhere in central Iowa.

The area of central Iowa includes the counties of Marshall, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Tama, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper Poweshiek, Madison, Warren and Marion. Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) did not disclose further information as to where the case is located, but stated in a press release the investigation into the matter has been completed and they do not anticipate widespread public exposure.

In an email to the T-R, HHS Director of Communications Alex Murphy said further information regarding the case would not be disclosed because of Iowa Code 139A.3, which is in the Communicable and Infectious Diseases and Poisonings chapter.

As of May 22, there have been 1,046 measles cases in the country across 32 states, in addition to three deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control, of the 1,046 cases, 96 percent occurred in unvaccinated individuals and 128 have resulted in hospitalization. Along with Iowa, the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Tennessee have only confirmed cases, and not released information as to where the cases were located.

Marshall County Public Health Director Sydney Grewell said she could confirm the case is not in Marshall County, so there is no direct impact to the community at this time.

“We will continue monitoring the situation while maintaining communication with state authorities to keep our community informed of any developments,” she said.

Measles is one of the most contagious illnesses known. It is an airborne virus which spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes, and has been known to remain in an area for up to two hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“This viral illness poses particular concern because it can spread rapidly through unvaccinated populations, making community immunity through vaccination critical for prevention,” Grewell said.

Due to the infectious nature, Marshall County Public Health is proactively working to prevent a measles outbreak by educating residents about the importance of consulting healthcare providers to verify vaccination status and determine if additional doses are needed.

“We strongly encourage all eligible residents to stay current with their MMR vaccinations as the best defense against measles,” she said. “Should a measles case occur in Marshall County, we are prepared to work closely with our state partners to implement immediate containment measures, prevent further transmission and limit community exposure through comprehensive contact tracing and public health interventions.”

Grewell said her department and HHS will promptly communicate any information regarding outbreaks or potential exposures to the public.

“Each situation is unique and will be evaluated and managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure appropriate public health response,” she said.

Fortunately, Grewell added Marshall County maintains a strong MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination rate which exceeds the state average among all age groups.

“Our 2024 data shows that 87 percent of 2-year-olds have received one MMR vaccine, compared to the state average of 84 percent, while 89 percent of adolescents have received two MMR doses, surpassing Iowa’s average of 85 percent,” she said. “This data represents a snapshot in time, with numbers fluctuating as more residents receive vaccinations while consistently remaining above state levels.”

Grewell’s vaccine information is gathered through IRIS (Iowa’s Immunization Registry Information System) and annual audits are conducted by Marshall County Public Health with every school district and licensed childcare center. According to Grewell, 95 percent of K-12 students in the county have received both recommended MMR doses, highlighting strong collaboration between families, healthcare providers and the education system.

The National Institute for Health recommends 92 percent of a community be immunized against measles to prevent an outbreak. Grewell said the reason for the increased number of cases in the country is due to decreased herb immunity.

“Herd immunity is defined as ‘when a critical portion of a community is immunized against a contagious disease, most members of the community are protected against that disease because there is little opportunity for an outbreak,'” she said. “‘Even those who are not eligible for certain vaccines — such as infants, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals — get some protection because the spread of contagious disease is contained. This is known as community immunity.'”

Grewell urged anyone experiencing the symptoms of measles to seek immediate medical attention before visiting with anyone else to prevent potential exposure. Symptoms include:

• Fever;

• Cough;

• Red or watery eyes;

• Runny nose and;

• Rash which typically begins at the hairline.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.