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Two cases of measles have been confirmed in Iowa this month, which can serve as a reminder for everyone to stay up-to-date with their vaccinations.

The second measles case was of an unvaccinated northeast Iowa resident who is a contact of the previous confirmed case, also an unvaccinated northeast Iowa resident that recently traveled to Israel where measles transmission is occurring. Guthrie County Public Health Director Jotham Arber says these are the first occurrences of measles in Iowa since 2011, “It’s remarkable because there is a vaccine that can prevent the disease, and so when we don’t vaccinate our population like we should we leave gaps. And then people can get sick and that can spread through our population of vulnerable people and it also hits those people that are unable to be vaccinated.”

Arber says symptoms of measles typically appear one to two weeks after infection and usually begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash will break out three to five days after symptoms begin, and can lead to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and death. Children are recommended to be vaccinated at 12 to 15 months and four to six years of age. Keeping up-to-date with vaccines is highly encouraged for children and adults before international travel.