Latest news with #IowaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Axios
15-07-2025
- Health
- Axios
Iowa reports 7th measles case as U.S. outbreak grows
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week confirmed the state's seventh case of measles this year, raising concerns about a disease that was once nearly eradicated in the U.S. Why it matters: The return of measles — mostly caused by unvaccinated travelers and falling immunization rates — raises concerns as families travel or go on international vacations during peak summer season. Catch up quick: Measles spreads easily through the air, can stay in indoor spaces for hours, and causes serious illness in children and immunocompromised people. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease, which causes high fever, rash, cough and red eyes and can lead to severe complications like brain inflammation. State of play: Before this year, the last confirmed cases of measles in Iowa were in 2019, when there were two, per the HHS. Although the MMR shot is safe and effective, vaccination rates among Iowa kindergartners fell below the herd immunity target of 95% in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The big picture: The U.S. is currently experiencing a multistate measles outbreak with nearly 1,300 cases confirmed in at least 39 states so far this year, according to the CDC. There have been three confirmed deaths, and 13% of cases led to hospitalization.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
These Iowa City stores were visited by a child who later tested positive for measles
An eastern Iowa child has tested positive for measles and potentially exposed others in the Iowa City area, according to a state news release on June 11. This is Iowa's third measles case in 2025 and the second case reported in June. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services notified the public regarding the third case due to potential exposure in public areas. An investigation found that the third report is not related to the first two cases in Iowa, according to the HHS release. The child was exposed to the virus during international travel. Iowa Health and Human Services and local health officials have identified locations and times where the individual visited and might have resulted in public exposure. The locations and times of possible exposure include: Costco at 2900 Heartland Drive, Coralville - 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., June 4 Walmart at 919 Highway 1 W., Iowa City - 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 4 Marshalls at 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 5 'Measles is the most contagious disease, but it's also highly preventable,' said Dr. Robert Kruse, state medical director, in a news release. 'The MMR vaccine offers strong protection and helps stop the spread of illness. We encourage Iowans to check their vaccination records and take steps to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.' Iowa's other measles case in June was reported in an adult male in eastern Iowa, who was vaccinated. The state was still investigating whether he had recently traveled. The first case was an unvaccinated adult female who had recently traveled, HHS said. According to the Mayo Clinic, measles symptoms show up around one to two weeks after someone is in contact with the virus. Initial symptoms include: Fever (reaching up to 105 degrees) Dry cough Runny nose Red, watering eyes About two to three days after the first symptoms, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) might appear inside the infected person's mouth. Roughly three to five days after the first symptoms, a rash likely will appear, comprised of large, flat spots and small raised bumps starting on the face or neck and spreads down the body. Someone with measles can spread the virus four days before and after a rash appears. Measles spreads by breathing in the virus that travels on droplets after people cough or sneeze. It is less common to get measles from objects contaminated with infected droplets, according to Iowa HHS. People can spread measles for several days before getting a rash and several days after the rash develops. It is one of the most contagious infections known to exist, according to Iowa HHS. Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 3 Iowa City stores visited by a child who tested positive for measles
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
Bible camp bust: 88 children removed in Iowa raid; teen's calls sparks human trafficking investigation
(Source: X) Authorities in Iowa have removed 88 children from a Bible study summer camp as part of a wide-ranging human trafficking investigation, reports the New York Post. The operation took place over the weekend at the Shekinah Glory Camp, run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation in Columbus Junction. Deputies from the Louisa County Sheriff's Office, working with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Columbus Junction Police, executed multiple search warrants. The children were taken to the nearby Wapello Methodist Church, where they met with child protection officers, and were then placed in temporary foster care. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said the children will remain in state custody until they can be safely reunited with parents or guardians. The camp had been scheduled to run from June 8 to 29 and drew participants from across the United States. The family operating the camp has denied all wrongdoing. Victor Bawi, whose parents founded the ministry in 2018, said the group helps both children and adults battling addiction to drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. 'What we try to do is, we take care of adults and children who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, nicotine,' Bawi told local outlet WQAD8. 'The adults and children, we take care of them, we provide food for them. The children we separate from the adults. We separate the boys and girls. We care for them, we provide for them.' Bawi said a teenager from Texas called authorities because he didn't want to be at the camp. 'We never harmed that child. We loved him,' he said. 'We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.' He also said the camp involves not just Bible study, but activities like volleyball and soccer. Another location in Fredonia, where the ministry reportedly helps people with housing, was also searched by deputies. The church is led by two pastors originally from Burma, now Myanmar, and belongs to the Chin ethnic minority. Many Burmese refugees in Iowa work at a local Tyson Foods plant, which slaughters about 2% of the country's hogs each year.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- New York Post
Cops remove 88 children from a Bible study camp in Iowa as part of a human trafficking investigation: officials
Deputies raided an Iowa church and removed 88 children participating in a Bible study camp as part of a sweeping human trafficking investigation, police said Monday. The youngsters are now in protective custody of local agencies after they were taken from the Shekinah Glory Camp run by Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation, according to police and local reports. Deputies executing search warrants removed the children over the weekend and took them to nearby Wapello Methodist Church to meet with child protection workers, deputies told KWQC. 3 Police removed 88 children from a Bible study camp in Iowa. Shekinah Ranch Camp The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services placed the children in temporary foster care until they could be reunited with their parents or guardians, deputies added. The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, founded in 2018, was hosting the summer camp from June 8-29. The family behind the ministry that runs the camp in Columbus Junction denied the allegations, according to WQAD8. 'What we try to do is, we take care of adults and children who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, nicotine,' Victor Bawi, whose parents run the ministry, told the outlet. 'The adults and children, we take care of them, we provide food for them. The children we separate from the adults. We separate the boys and girls. We care for them, we provide for them.' 3 Police launched a human trafficking investigation at a church in Iowa where they removed 88 children. Shekinah Ranch Camp Bawi told KWQC that a teen from Texas called authorities because he didn't want to attend the camp. Bawi said no children were ever in danger or harmed. 'We never harmed that child. We loved him,' he said. We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.' Christian teenagers from across the nation attend the camp, he added. Bawi told WQAD8 that when the children aren't studying the Bible, they have fun playing volleyball, soccer and other outdoor activities. 3 Deputies removed 88 children from a church camp under investigation for human trafficking in Iowa. Shekinah Ranch Camp Deputies executed search warrants at several locations — one where the camp was taking place in Columbus Junction, and another less than two miles away in Fredonia, where the church helps people find housing. The Louisa County Sheriff's Office said the operation took place in coordination with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Columbus Junction Police Department, according to WQAD8. The investigation remains ongoing. The church is run by two pastors from Burma. They are members of the Chin, an ethnic minority, according to an Iowa cultural organization. Iowa has resettled thousands of refugees fleeing the longest-running civil war in the world. Iowa has one of the largest Burmese populations in the Midwest, and Columbus Junction had a significant number in the area. Many of the refugees are poor and work in the Tyson's Food Inc. meat packing plant, where the company has translators on premises. The plant is responsible for 2% of the hogs slaughtered each year in the nation. Burma, also known as Myanmar, is one of the countries added to the controversial list of countries banned for entry to the US by the State Department on June 16.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What you need to know before you go: June 12, 2025
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Here are the top headlines from this morning. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill aimed at bringing changes to Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs bill to reform pharmacy benefit managers Governor Reynolds vetoed a bill that was meant to increase restrictions on the use of eminent domain for CO2 Pipeline construction. Iowa governor rejects GOP bill to increase regulations of Summit's carbon dioxide pipeline The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a third case of Measles in the state, from a non-vaccinated child. Iowa HHS confirms third case of measles in 2025 Check out more stories in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
