Four additional cases of measles have been confirmed on Maui and Kauai, the state Department of Health reported Thursday. So far this year, there have been nine confirmed cases in the islands. ADVERTISING Four additional cases of measles have been
Four additional cases of measles have been confirmed on Maui and Kauai, the state Department of Health reported Thursday. So far this year, there have been nine confirmed cases in the islands.
“We are very concerned. These additional cases are an example of how contagious this disease is and how quickly it can spread,” said Dr. Sarah Y. Park, state epidemiologist, said in a prepared statement. “However, we also want to reassure the public that DOH staff continue to work closely with health care providers and facilities as well as CDC’s Honolulu Quarantine Station to identify and notify all persons who may have been exposed, to make sure they have appropriate monitoring or treatment as needed.”
The department last week reported one case on Maui and two cases on Kauai. The cases on the two islands were not related to each other and those infected had separate travel histories with all cases involving unvaccinated young adults with recent travel either to the Philippines or Indonesia and Malaysia.
From Jan. 1 to Sept. 29, there have been 594 cases of measles reported in 22 states according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With the additional recently confirmed cases, Hawaii now has a total of nine confirmed cases reported in the state this year, including two cases reported in February.
Measles is highly contagious and the department said it can infect 90 percent of people who are not immune and come into contact with a person infected with the virus. The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated, the department said.
With the latest cases, the department is asking people to check their immunization records and contact their health care provider if they need to be vaccinated for the virus.
“Although not routinely recommended for children under 12 months of age, infants aged 6-11 months travelling internationally to areas with active measles transmission should be vaccinated. Talk to your child’s doctor before you travel,” Ronald Balajadia, Immunization Branch chief, said in the prepared statement.
The symptoms of measles generally begin about 14 days (range 7 to 21 days) after a person is infected and can include: blotchy red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), feeling run down, achy (malaise), and tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots).
