The Polk County Health Department confirmed a new measles case in a child on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026.
Public health officials in Central Iowa are investigating several potential exposure sites in Ankeny and Des Moines. The child recently traveled internationally and was identified as having the virus. This new case adds to an outbreak in the state; Iowa reached 50 confirmed cases as of Nov. 5, according to the Polk County Health Department.
Iowa HHS and local public health agencies are working closely with affected families and community leaders to identify illnesses, share information, and ensure access to vaccination. Iowa HHS officials stated
Locations where people may have been exposed
Health officials released a list of specific locations and times where the child may have been contagious. The Polk County Health Department identified these windows for potential exposure:
- Walmart in Ankeny: Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Hy-Vee on North Ankeny Boulevard in Ankeny: Friday, Nov. 6, from noon to 3 p.m.
- UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care in Ankeny: Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10:10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
The child also visited the UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center / Blank Children’s Hospital Emergency Department campus in Des Moines on Nov. 8.
Exposure windows at the medical campus include the emergency department waiting room between 11:25 a.m. and 1:35 p.m. The Blank Children’s Emergency Department had exposure from 11:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Additional areas of concern include the hallway connecting the emergency department to the inpatient elevators between 3:15 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. The fourth floor of Blank Children’s Hospital was also a site between 3:20 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., Hoodline reported.
Iowa measles cases rise
The 2026 outbreak is much larger than in previous years. OurQuadCities reported only nine confirmed cases in Iowa during 2025.
By early November 2026, the state reached 50 cases. The first measles case of 2026 was identified in July. It involved a vaccinated adult who contracted the virus during international travel, according to KDSM17.
The state had 17 confirmed cases by the end of August, as reported by the Des Moines Register. Of the 50 reported cases, 48 involved people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Most cases in the state have been among people aged 5 to 19. People aged 20 and older make up the next group, Hoodline said.
Transmission spreads through the region
Health officials confirmed the Iowa outbreak shows evidence of person-to-person spread. Measles activity is also high in neighboring Wisconsin, where a large outbreak involving hundreds of cases is ongoing in the southwestern part of the state, according to Iowa HHS.
With measles continuing to circulate in the region, Iowa HHS anticipates that additional cases may occur, particularly among individuals who are not protected against measles through vaccination or prior infection. HHS officials said
Other parts of the state recently dealt with exposure scares. The Des Moines Register listed potential exposure locations in Keokuk and Osage on October 29 and October 30. In northern Iowa, increases in Mitchell County were linked to exposures at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage.
Officials identified potential exposures at that center on October 29 between 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., and again on October 30 between 10:55 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. A Hy-Vee in Keokuk was a possible transmission location on October 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Common symptoms of measles include high fever and cough. Other symptoms include a runny nose, red or watery eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth. A rash typically begins on the face and spreads downward.
The Polk County Health Department is asking anyone at the Ankeny and Des Moines locations to complete an online exposure survey. People should also monitor themselves for symptoms.
If you develop symptoms, officials advise staying home. Call a healthcare provider before seeking medical care so staff can take precautions.
People who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised should seek guidance. This includes those with an infant who may have been exposed or people unsure of their vaccination status. They can contact a healthcare provider or the Polk County Health Department at 515-323-5221.
The MMR vaccine provides about 97% protection against measles. The standard vaccination schedule includes a first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.
Earlier coverage: Wisconsin Reports Infant's Measles-Related Death