Polk County health officials confirmed a new measles case in a child on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and released a list of potential exposure sites in Ankeny and Des Moines. The child, who recently returned from international travel, was identified as contagious during visits to multiple retail and medical locations, raising concern for residents who may have been present during the listed windows.
According to the Polk County Health Department, the exposure windows are as follows:
- Walmart, Ankeny – Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (1002 National Dr.) – reported by KCCI.
- Hy‑Vee on North Ankeny Boulevard – Friday, Nov. 6, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (410 N. Ankeny Blvd.) – reported by KCCI.
- UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care, Ankeny – Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10:10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (3625 N. Ankeny Blvd.) – reported by KCCI.
- UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center/Blank Children’s Hospital campus, Des Moines – Sunday, Nov. 8, with several areas:
- Emergency department waiting room, 11:25 a.m.–1:35 p.m.
- Blank Children’s Emergency Department, 11:30 a.m.–5:20 p.m.
- Hallway to inpatient elevators, 3:15 p.m.–5:25 p.m.
- Fourth floor, 3:20 p.m.–10:45 p.m.
Time News also confirmed the same locations and times, adding that the child visited the medical campus on Nov. 8 and that the exposure windows were identified by the health department.
The state of Iowa has recorded 50 confirmed measles cases as of early November, according to both KCCI and Time News. Of those, 48 involve individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, and most cases have occurred among people aged 5 to 19. The outbreak is larger than the nine cases reported in 2025, and health officials note ongoing transmission in neighboring Wisconsin, where hundreds of cases have been documented.
Polk County officials are urging anyone who may have been at the listed sites to complete an online exposure survey and to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward. Residents who develop symptoms are advised to stay home, call a healthcare provider before seeking care, and inform the health department at 515‑323‑5221. Those who are not fully vaccinated, are immunocompromised, or have infants should seek guidance promptly.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides about 97% protection, with the standard schedule of a first dose at 12‑15 months and a second dose at 4‑6 years. Local health agencies continue to work with families and community leaders to promote vaccination and limit further spread.
What’s next: The Polk County Health Department will continue monitoring the situation, update exposure information as needed, and hold a public information session on Nov. 15, 2026 at the Des Moines Public Library to discuss vaccination resources and answer community questions.
