Iowa health officials have confirmed the first case of measles in the state since 2011, KCCI Des Moines reported.

An unidentified resident of northeastern Iowa reportedly contracted the disease during a trip to Israel, where recent outbreaks have been reported, according to the outlet.

The Iowan in question was not vaccinated, health officials said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Measles is really good at moving from person to person," Dr. Caitlin Pedati of the Iowa Department of Public Health told the outlet. "It can hang around in the air on surfaces for up to two hours, so it's a pretty contagious virus."

Twenty states have reported at least one case of the disease since the beginning of 2019, KCCI noted. Health officials nationwide have reported 555 measles cases as of Monday, an increase of nearly 100 from last week. The total marks the largest since 2014.

"The best piece of advice is, get vaccinated and make sure your children are vaccinated," Dr. Ravi Vemuri, an infectious disease specialist at Des Moines's MercyOne hospital system, told the news outlet.

New York City has declared an emergency over the disease, which has been concentrated in Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods. Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE (D) issued an order requiring all residents of the affected neighborhoods to be vaccinated or face fines for opting not to vaccinate their children.

A group of parents in the area has sued over the order.