Measles Cases in Iowa at Eight, New Immunization Optionfor Kids

The number of confirmed cases of measles in Iowa has reached eight.

Chickasaw County Public Health Administrator Lisa Welter says state officials have been able to trace the origins of most cases, but not all.

That’s one of the reasons the state is pushing for measles vaccinations among kids.

Welter notes that dose-zero MMR vaccines can now be given at six months of age, but it does not count towards the two immunizations required for kids. 

After two doses, Welter says the vaccination is 97% effective in preventing measles.

Welter recommends contacting your family physician or local public health office with any questions.

*Additional information from Radio Iowa:

Karen Brust is a hospital epidemiologist at University of Iowa Health Care. She says if someone suspects they have measles, they should call ahead to alert their healthcare provider before going in.

“Fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, those are symptoms of measles,” Brust says, “and that sometimes predates any sort of fever plus rash syndrome.”

The MMR vaccine — for measles, mumps and rubella — is considered 97 percent effective against the virus. According to state data, 84-percent of Iowa children were fully vaccinated last year, which falls several points below the 90-percent threshold experts consider herd immunity.

“The MMR vaccine still is the number one way to prevent getting sick, and most importantly, to prevent severe illness,” Brust says, “especially in that highly vulnerable population of very young, very old or immunocompromised.”

Measles can cause serious illness and in rare cases, death.

Measles is highly contagious because it can easily be spread through airborne transmission, such as sneezing, and can remain in the air for up to two hours.