Health Information for the Public

Measles is Vaccine-Preventable

Measles (also known as rubeola and hard measles) is a very contagious, vaccine-preventable, viral disease with symptoms like fever, cough, coryza (inflammation of the mucus membranes of the nose), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye), and a maculopapular (red area on the skin with raised bumps) rash. It usually occurs in people who have not had the disease before or who are unvaccinated.

Press Releases

• Measles Case Identified in Iowa (4/15/19)
• Second Measles Case Confirmed in Iowa (4/18/19)

The best way to prevent measles is to get the measles-mumps-rubella shot (called MMR). For more information on vaccination, please see the links below.

• Measles Fact Sheet (English) 
• Measles Fact Sheet (Spanish) 
• Measles Fact Sheet (Bosnian) 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• MMR Fact Sheet
• Measles Fact Sheet for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions for K-12 Schools, Childcare Centers and Colleges

• FAQ for K-12 Schools
• FAQ for Childcare Centers
• FAQ for Colleges