Measles cases continue to be on the rise in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that as of May 3rd, there were 764 confirmed cases in 23 states, which was an increase of 60 cases from the previous week. The CDC states that this is the greatest number of measles cases in the country since 1994. The Iowa Department of Public Health has had two reported cases of measles, for the first time since 2011.

Greene County Public Health Immunization Manager Jill Hanson says the disease is caused by breathing in a virus that’s carried on droplets from an infected person. She points out that Iowans have been lucky over the years to not have measles resurface.

“Measles occurs basically for two reasons: people either go out of the country and contract the illness and they’re susceptible for some reason and contract that illness and bring it back to the United States, or we have further spread of measles in the United States from those people in communities in pockets of unvaccinated people.”

Hanson says since Greene County Public Health was established in 1984, there have not been any confirmed cases of measles in the County. However, she says it is a very contagious disease that does require public health to get involved, putting a person under voluntary confinement to prevent further exposure to others. Hanson notes getting vaccinated is the best defense against measles. She points out children that reach 12 months of age receive the first dose of the vaccination, and then get the second dose when they are four to six-years-old. Hanson adds you can get a booster measles shot as well. Contact public health for more information. To hear more from Hanson, listen to today’s Community State Bank in Paton Let’s Talk Greene County program.