Vaccination stressed as measles outbreak reaches Iowa

MT. PLEASANT — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the state’s first measles case since 2019 on Friday, May 23, after an unvaccinated adult in central Iowa tested positive. Henry County Public Health has closely followed updates from state and national health agencies since January and continues efforts to encourage vaccination and prevent a local outbreak.

The 2025 measles outbreak began in January in Gaines County, Texas, a region with low vaccination coverage. The outbreak quickly spread to nearby states — including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas — and became the largest in over 30 years. By mid-April, it accounted for more than 80% of all U.S. measles cases reported during the first four months of the year. As of May 22, the CDC had confirmed 1,046 measles cases across 31 jurisdictions, with 92% linked to ongoing outbreaks.

“Measles is the most contagious virus in the world,” said Katie Reuter, Henry County Public Health Director, during an April 3 report to the Board of Supervisors. “In Henry County, we've got pretty good MMR rates … we need 95% to ensure that there's herd immunity.”

Henry County’s adolescent MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rate stands at 97.8%, but Iowa’s statewide average is only 88%, below the 95% threshold public health experts say is needed to prevent widespread outbreaks. Reuter has repeatedly emphasized the need to maintain high local coverage and monitor trends in surrounding counties, some of which report rates as low as 70%.

To address that gap, Iowa recently expanded access to free MMR vaccinations for residents of all ages and insurance statuses. Henry County Public Health offers routine immunization hours and can schedule additional appointments by request.

“97% of the cases are people who are not vaccinated,” Reuter said in her April 3 update. “So if you're vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, you're in pretty good shape.”

Measles spreads through airborne droplets and can linger in the air for up to two hours. Symptoms include fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and a widespread rash. Complications can be severe — particularly for children under five — and may include pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death.

Reuter explained the county’s approach to infection control when handling suspected cases. “Measles is the most contagious virus in the world. So we do get a little uptight about how we test, what, where our samples are sent, which ours will go to the state hygienic lab,” she said. “If we are testing anybody in clinic rooms, we have to shut those rooms down in order to keep it from spreading to others.”

Henry County Public Health will continue its public outreach this summer, including at the Stride Into Summer fair on June 1 and through the Walk With Ease program that started May 12. Reuter said her department remains focused on education and accessibility.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com