Lakes Regional Healthcare is proud to serve a community that values health and well-being. While Iowa is fortunate to have zero reported cases of measles in the state so far in 2025, the rising incidence of this highly contagious disease nationwide – particularly in states like Texas and New Mexico – serves as a reminder that we must stay informed and proactive. Measles may seem like a relic of the past, but it’s making a comeback in some areas, and understanding what it is, how it spreads, and how to protect against it is more important than ever. Here’s everything you need to know about measles, from identification to prevention, and why it’s a risk you can’t ignore.
What is Measles?
Measles is a viral illness that was once one of the most common childhood diseases in the United States, affecting millions before a vaccine was introduced in 1963. Thanks to widespread vaccination efforts, measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning it no longer spread continuously within the country. However, cases still occur, often linked to international travel or communities with lower vaccination rates.
The disease is known for its contagiousness; it’s the most transmissible disease of all communicable diseases. If someone with measles coughs or sneezes in a room, the virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, ready to infect the next person. This makes it a public health concern even in areas like northwest Iowa, where cases haven’t occurred yet, because all it takes is one introduction to spark an outbreak.
How is Measles Transmitted?
Measles spreads primarily through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even breathes, tiny droplets carrying the virus are released into the air. Others can inhale these droplets or touch a contaminated surface and then touch their face, allowing the virus to enter through the nose, mouth, or eyes. An infected person is contagious from four days before the telltale rash appears until four days after it shows up, often spreading the virus before they even realize they’re sick.
How to Identify Measles
Recognizing measles early can help limit its spread and ensure prompt care. The illness typically unfolds in stages. It starts with what might feel like a bad cold: a high fever (sometimes above 104°F), cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These symptoms usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure.
A few days later – typically 3 to 5 days after the fever begins – the signature measles rash emerges. The red, blotchy rash appears on the face or hairline and spreads downward across the body over the next few days. The rash isn’t usually itchy, but it’s a clear sign that measles is at work. If you or someone you know develops these symptoms, especially after travel or contact with someone from an affected area, it’s time to act.
What to Do If You Suspect Measles
Your initial reaction to suspecting measles may not be the correct action. According to Dr. Andrew Mueting of Lakes Regional Family Medicine, you should avoid going directly to a doctor’s office or emergency room without calling ahead. “Because measles is so contagious, walking into a healthcare facility unannounced could expose others. Instead, call your healthcare provider. Let them know your symptoms and any possible exposure history like recent travel or contact with someone from a high-incidence area,” he said. “They will guide you on the safest way to get evaluated, often arranging a separate entrance or appointment time to minimize risk.”
Second, Mueting says you should isolate immediately in a private room with a closed door. Remain isolated through the fourth day after the onset of the rash, counting the day of rash onset as day zero.
Third, identify all persons exposed to you during your infectious period. Determine whether those exposed persons are immune and inform those who are not.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, so care focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications, such as pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. Rest, hydration, and fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (never aspirin for children, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome) can help.
How to Prevent Measles
Prevention is where you can have the upper hand against measles, and it starts with vaccination. Lakes Regional Healthcare Director of Population and Public Health Katy Carey said the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the gold standard – safe, effective, and widely available. “One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are effective at preventing up to 97% of cases,” she said. “The standard schedule recommends the first dose is at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years, but in outbreak situations or for travel, infants as young as 6 months can get an early dose.”
For adults, if you were born after 1957 and aren’t sure about your vaccination status, check with your doctor. Most people vaccinated as children remain protected, but those at higher risk, like healthcare workers, college students, or international travelers, should have two documented doses. If you’re unsure, getting an extra MMR shot is harmless and can provide peace of mind.
Beyond vaccination, basic hygiene helps. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. These steps won’t stop measles on their own, but they’re good habits that reduce the spread of many illnesses.
The Risks of Contracting Measles
Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever – it can be dangerous, especially for certain groups. About 1 in 5 people who get measles end up hospitalized. Complications include pneumonia (the most common cause of death in young children with measles), ear infections that can lead to hearing loss, and encephalitis (brain swelling) that can cause permanent neurological damage. For every 1,000 cases, 1 to 3 people die, even with the best care.
Pregnant women face additional risks, including miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight for their babies. And here’s a lesser-known danger: measles can cause “immune amnesia,” wiping out the body’s memory of other infections it’s fought off, leaving you more vulnerable to future illnesses. In rare cases, years after recovery, a fatal neurological condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can develop, particularly in those infected as infants.
Why This Matters for Northwest Iowa
Even with no cases here yet, northwest Iowa isn’t immune to the national trend. Travel, migration, and even a single visitor from an affected area could bring measles to our doorstep. The rural setting doesn’t offer protection – low vaccination rates in pockets of any community can create vulnerabilities. The outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico, where hundreds of cases have been reported since January, show how quickly measles can take hold when vaccination coverage dips below the 95% needed for herd immunity. What’s more, Iowa’s MMR vaccination rate is at 84.4% and Dickinson County’s MMR vaccination rate is 80.9%.
At Lakes Regional Healthcare, we’re committed to keeping you informed and prepared. We’re monitoring the situation closely, ready to respond if measles reaches Iowa, and we’re here to answer your questions about vaccination or symptoms. If you’re due for a vaccine or unsure about your status, call Dickinson County Public Health at 712-339-6050 or your primary care provider today.
