Potential measles exposure linked to eastern Iowa hotel

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said an Independence hotel could’ve been exposed to measles in early March.

The Illinois Department of Public Health notified Iowa HHS about an Illinois resident that tested positive for measles and traveled to Iowa while infectious.

According to the state, that person stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Independence from March 4-5.

Health officials ask that anyone who visited that location monitor for possible symptoms. That includes fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash. If you think you may have been exposed, call your medical provider or the nearest emergency room before you visit the hospital to let them know you may have been exposed.

The measles virus is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes, and it can linger for up to two hours even after the infectious person leaves the room.

There were nine measles cases identified in Iowa in 2025. So far, no cases of measles have been detected among Iowans in 2026.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.