Three Bloomfield and Ottumwa exposures remain within their 21-day symptom-monitoring periods. Iowa’s next weekly count is scheduled for Aug. 27.
Updated Aug. 26, 2026.
By Hola Iowa
IOWA — Iowa’s measles outbreak has reached 17 confirmed cases in 2026, with evidence of person-to-person spread. Iowa Health and Human Services reported the updated total as of Aug. 24.
The newest possible public exposure occurred at Sunnyside Grocery, 22422 County Road 63 in Bloomfield. A person visited the store while contagious from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.
People who were at Sunnyside Grocery during that period remain within the state’s 21-day symptom-monitoring window through Sept. 5.
Being identified as an exposure location does not mean measles spread inside the business or that the business caused the outbreak. It means a person visited the location during the period when the virus could be transmitted.
Three exposure monitoring periods remain active
As of Aug. 26, three locations in Bloomfield and Ottumwa remained within their 21-day monitoring periods:
- Sunnyside Grocery: 22422 County Road 63, Bloomfield. Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The monitoring period runs through Sept. 5.
- Pizza Ranch: 1791 Venture Drive, Ottumwa. Friday, Aug. 14, from noon to 3 p.m. The monitoring period runs through Sept. 4.
- JR Feed and Supply: 17599 200th St., Bloomfield. Sunday, Aug. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The monitoring period runs through Aug. 30.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. Iowa HHS instructs people who develop symptoms after a possible exposure to call a health care provider or emergency room before arriving.
The advance call gives medical staff time to prepare and reduces the possibility of exposing patients and employees in a waiting room.
Six earlier monitoring periods have ended
Iowa’s recent exposure history also includes six locations visited in late July. Their 21-day monitoring periods have ended for people who remained well:
- Wells Hometown Drug: 208 E. Franklin St., Bloomfield. Thursday, July 30, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
- Natural Grocer’s: 8650 Hickman Road, Clive. Tuesday, July 28, from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
- Vero Health Center: 630 S. 50th St., West Des Moines. Tuesday, July 28, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Office Depot: 3910 University Ave., West Des Moines. Tuesday, July 28, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
- Menards: 12000 Hickman Road, Clive. Tuesday, July 28, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- Menards: 6000 SE 14th St., Des Moines. Tuesday, July 28, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
The monitoring periods for the July 28 locations ended Aug. 18. The period associated with Wells Hometown Drug ended Aug. 20.
Measles symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure
Symptoms generally begin seven to 21 days after infection. Fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes often appear first.
A rash usually develops later, beginning on the face or near the hairline before spreading to other parts of the body. Measles spreads through the air and can infect people who do not have immunity.
Two MMR doses are about 97% effective
Iowa HHS is directing people who have not received a measles vaccine, or who are unsure of their immunity, to speak with a health care professional or local public health agency.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective.
Medical guidance may differ based on age, health, vaccination history and the date of a possible exposure.
Related: Number of Polk County students not fully vaccinated nearly doubles since 2019
Iowa will publish its next case count Aug. 27
Iowa updates its measles case count each Thursday and releases additional information when authorities identify another potential public exposure.
Current totals, locations and public health guidance are available on the Iowa HHS measles information page. The next scheduled case-count update is Thursday, Aug. 27.
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