Iowa health officials have identified a hotel where an Illinois resident with measles stayed during an infectious period. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has identified an Eastern Iowa hotel where an Illinois resident stayed during an infectious period with measles.

Comfort Inn and Suites, 2100 Swan Lake Blvd., Independence, was where the person stayed between Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., through Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9 a.m., according to the health department. A desk clerk at the hotel said she was told nothing as of late Friday, March 13, and no manager was available for comment.

The department did not indicate why their announcement was more than a week after the potential measles exposure occurred, but noted the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the Illinois resident with confirmed measles had traveled to Iowa during their infectious period.

Iowa and Illinois health officials identified the location visited by the individual while contagious, so others who might have been exposed to measles can monitor for symptoms.

Health officials advised anyone who visited the hotel within the listed timeframe to closely monitor for symptoms of measles — fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash — with anyone born in or after 1957 who visited the location and is unvaccinated or unsure of their immune status considered at higher risk.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and can stay in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles leaves the room.

Health officials advised anyone exposed to measles who has symptoms, to call their medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time to tell them about the exposure and symptoms before arriving.

As of March 5, a total of 1,281 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2026. Of these, 1,191 — 93 percent — were unvaccinated.

In Iowa, nine measles cases were identified in 2025. To date, no measles cases have been identified among Iowa residents in 2026.

Read more from Iowa health officials:

“With ongoing measles transmission in the United States, Iowans should make sure they’ve received a measles-containing vaccine and should consider an accelerated measles vaccination schedule for their children,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director.

While the routine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine schedule is one dose at 12–15 months and a second dose at 4–6 years, Iowans should consider:

-- An early extra dose of MMR between 6 and 11 months of age (“dose 0”); this dose does NOT count toward the routine series

-- The first routine dose (dose 1) can be given after 12 months of age, at least 28 days after dose 0

-- The second routine dose (dose 2) can be given at least 28 days after dose 1, instead of waiting until age 4–6 years

For the latest information on measles in Iowa, visit the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology disease information page. This page is updated weekly, on Fridays, with current case counts and public health guidance. Iowa HHS will issue a press release when there is a confirmed public exposure that may pose a risk to others. When possible, individuals identified as close contacts will also be notified directly by public health officials.