DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is reporting a confirmed case of measles in central Iowa in an unvaccinated adult. The case tested positive through the State Hygienic Laboratory and is the first confirmed case of measles in Iowa this year, and the first since 2019. Iowa is among 31 other United States jurisdictions in an evolving measles outbreak that has been responsible for 1,024 confirmed measles cases and 3 deaths this year. A thorough investigation has been completed. Public health officials will be reaching out to identified contacts, and no widespread public exposure is anticipated. Currently 84% of 2-year-olds in Iowa are vaccinated, which is below the 95% threshold required to prevent outbreaks.

CEDAR RAPIDS – Planned Parenthood announced the closures of four Iowa-based facilities this week. KGAN-TV reports locations in Cedar Rapids, Ames, Sioux City, and Urbandale are no longer open. This comes after three others were closed in 2023 following a near-total abortion ban standing in the Iowa Supreme Court. The Iowa City Planned Parenthood site is the only one available in the eastern half of the state.