Iowa has reported its seventh case of measles this year, raising concerns about a disease that was once nearly eradicated in the US. This is the first time since 2019 that the state has seen confirmed cases.
Measles spreads easily through the air and can stay in indoor spaces for hours, causing serious illness in children and immunocompromised people. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease, which causes high fever, rash, cough, and red eyes, potentially leading to severe complications like brain inflammation.
Low vaccination rates among Iowa kindergartners have fallen below the herd immunity target of 95%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The US is currently experiencing a multistate measles outbreak with nearly 1,300 cases confirmed in at least 39 states so far this year, with three deaths and hospitalization in 13% of cases.
Despite the concerns, the CDC still recommends MMR vaccines as the best way to protect against measles.
Source: https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/15/iowa-measles-case-outbreak-grows-mmr-vaccine