HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in a visitor to Oahu.
Officials say the visitor had recently arrived in Hawaii from a region of the continental United States with known measles transmission. After arriving in the islands, the person became ill, sought medical care, and is now recovering at a private residence on Oahu.
The DOH said people may have been exposed if they were at the following locations during these times:
OahuDaniel K. Inouye International Airport — Feb. 26, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (A gates and baggage claim area)Daniel K. Inouye International Airport — Mar. 3, 9 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. — Terminal 1 check-In, security, and A gatesDaniel K. Inouye International Airport — Mar 4, 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. — A gates and baggage claim areaLaie Mormon Temple — Feb. 27, 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.Hawaii IslandHilo International Airport — March 3, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (gate and baggage claim areas)Hilo International Airport — March 4, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (check-in, security and gate areas)Hilo Siam Thai Restaurant — March 3, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — March 3, noon to 6 p.m.
The infection comes as many have been flocking to the volcano for the repeated eruptions.
“Yeah, it’s a very highly trafficked area. But the good news with Volcanoes National Park is a lot of it is out in the open air. It’s very, it’s harder for the virus to, you know, take hold in a new person,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “If you’ve been to one of these locations and you don’t have measles immunity, you’ve never had a vaccine, you’ve never had the disease, then it is important to self-isolate away from others and get in touch with the health department so we can help advise you on what to do.”
DOH reported they are contacting individuals who may have had close contact with the visitor and have issued notifications to airlines and airports connected to the case.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through direct contact or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads across the body.
Health officials said people who were at the listed locations and are not vaccinated should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Those fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered protected.
“So if you were born before 1957, if you’ve had measles as a child diagnosed by a physician, or if you have had the measles-containing vaccine, the MMR vaccine, two doses, then you are immune, and you don’t need to do anything else,” Kemble added. “It is rare for people to get measles if they’ve had (the) vaccine because the vaccine works very well. However, some people can still get breakthrough measles, as is in the case with this individual who was fully vaccinated.”
Anyone who develops symptoms is advised to stay home, isolate, and call a healthcare provider before seeking in-person medical care.
“The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles is to stay up to date on your measles shots,” Kemble urged.
The investigation is ongoing.
If you are not protected against measles, believe you have been exposed and cannot reach your healthcare provider promptly, please call the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586, or call the Disease Investigation Branch at 808-586-8362.
There is no specific medication to treat measles once a person is infected. Care of patients with measles consists mainly of ensuring adequate intake of fluids, bed rest and fever control. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.
Contact your healthcare provider to get the MMR vaccine.
For more information about measles, visit:
DOH measles information websiteCDC measles websiteMMR vaccine factsheet
Watch our previous coverage here:
Officials say the visitor had recently arrived in Hawaii from a region of the continental United States with known measles transmission.
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