Measles Case Confirmed in Polk County: Potential Exposure Locations in Ankeny and Des Moines Identified

Polk County health officials confirmed a new case of measles in a child on Wednesday, Nov. 11, according to The Des Moines Register.

The announcement comes as Iowa faces a surge in infections. As of Nov. 5, the state had recorded 50 confirmed cases of measles in 2026, a sharp increase from the just nine cases reported statewide throughout 2025.

Public health authorities have found evidence that this outbreak is spreading through person-to-person transmission. The Polk County Health Department said that the child involved in this specific case had recently traveled internationally.

Potential exposure sites in Ankeny and Des Moines

Health investigators are tracking several specific locations where the virus may have been transmitted. The Polk County Health Department has identified several windows of time when infected individuals were present in public spaces.

In Ankeny, potential exposure sites include:

New measles case confirmed in central Iowa; potential exposure locations in Ankeny, Des Moines — KCCI

Walmart (1002 National Dr.): Thursday, Nov. 5, between 5 and 8 p.m.
Hy-Vee (410 N. Ankeny Blvd.): Friday, Nov. 6, between noon and 3 p.m.
UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care (3625 N. Ankeny Blvd.): Sunday, Nov. 8, between 10:10 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Des Moines residents should also note specific times at the UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. The Polk County Health Department reported exposure risks in the emergency department waiting room between 11:25 a.m. and 1:35 p.m., and within the Blank Children’s Emergency Department between 11:30 a.m. and 5:20 p.m.

Further risks were identified in the hallway leading from the Blank Children’s Emergency Department to the inpatient elevators between 3:15 and 5:25 p.m., as well as on the Blank Children’s Hospital 4th floor between 3:20 and 10:45 p.m.

The rising scale of the Iowa outbreak

The current trajectory of the virus shows a rapid escalation in community spread. While the first case of 2026 was announced in July, the numbers climbed quickly after 17 cases were confirmed at the end of August.

This spike is largely attributed to falling vaccination rates. Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) said that the agency anticipates more cases will occur, particularly among those without protection from vaccination or prior infection.

The biological stakes of the virus remain high. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known; the CDC reports that if an unvaccinated person comes into contact with the virus, there is a 90% chance they will become infected. Additionally, 1 in 5 of those infected people will require hospitalization.

Symptoms emerge within 21 days and require medical monitoring

Symptoms typically emerge between 7 and 14 days after contact, though they can appear up to 21 days later. Common indicators include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash.

Complications can be severe, ranging from ear infections and diarrhea to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and death. Children are identified as the group at the highest risk for these serious complications.

Health officials advise that anyone who believes they have been exposed should monitor their health for 21 days. If symptoms develop, individuals are instructed to call their medical provider or the nearest emergency room before arriving to prevent spreading the virus to other patients and staff.

The MMR vaccine remains the primary defense, providing approximately 97% efficacy when two doses are administered. The standard schedule involves the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

The Polk County Health Department is asking anyone who visited the identified locations during the specified times to complete an online survey to assist in contact tracing.

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