Additional Reported Cases of Measles in Iowa

Johnson County, Iowa – Johnson County Public Health and Iowa Health and Human Services have confirmed three additional cases of Measles that are locally acquired household contacts of our original case. These individuals are currently stable at home and additional public exposures are not expected. Iowa HHS updates their Measles reporting each Thursday, and you can access the information at https://hhs.iowa.gov/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/disease-information.
We continue to monitor those individuals who were exposed after the initial case, and stress that should they feel symptomatic, please contact your medical provider by phone for further guidance on how to receive care.

If You Develop Symptoms:
If you were exposed and begin to have symptoms of measles (such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash), please call your medical provider and let them know you may have been exposed to measles and are sick.
If you need to go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department, please call before arriving to tell the facility about your possible exposure so they can make special arrangements. This helps protect other patients and staff from being exposed.

Symptoms of Measles:
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and may include:
• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Small white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
• A red rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward

Get Protected:
The best way to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe is to make sure everyone is up to date with their vaccinations. If you're not sure if you have been vaccinated for measles, or if you have questions, call your medical provider or local pharmacy. “We’re concerned for anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated, but especially infants under one year who have not had a chance to be vaccinated yet. This is why it is important everyone else who can be vaccinated does so,” said Jennifer Miller, Disease Prevention Specialist.
It is allowable to vaccinate a child with their second dose of the MMR vaccine earlier than the routine schedule so long as it is 28 days since their first dose. If they were vaccinated with MMRV, the spacing is 3 months, so if your child received the first dose of MMRV vaccine, the second dose should be administered at least 3 months after. At this time, we are encouraging parents and providers to discuss this option.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Johnson County Public Health at 319-356-6040 and ask to speak to a Disease Prevention Specialist.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect the health of our community.