HONOLULU — The state Department of Health confirmed a second case of measles in Hawaii on Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • According to DOH, the person is an Oahu resident who was exposed to the person in the previous case, an international traveler confirmed as having the disease on April 10

  • In a medical advisory issued on Monday, DOH asked health care providers to identify, isolate and report suspected measles cases

  • The department is also reminding the public to check their vaccination status to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations

  • Measles can cause serious illness, neurologic complications and even death

According to DOH, the person is an Oahu resident who was exposed to the person in the previous case, an international traveler confirmed as having the disease on April 10.

The department is reaching out to people who may have been exposed to the second infected person.

In a medical advisory also issued on Monday, DOH asked health care providers to identify, isolate and report suspected measles cases.

The department is reminding the public to check their vaccination status to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations.

The measles vaccine is usually first given at the one-year well-child visit as the MMR combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. As the department noted, vaccination protects children and the larger community from outbreaks of measles. The last measles outbreak in Hawaii occurred in 2014, with 15 cases reported.

Globally and nationally, MMR coverage rates have dropped since pre-pandemic years, increasing the number of susceptible individuals.

“Health care providers and the public are encouraged to be more aware and vigilant for a possible measles infection due to recent cases in our community,” said Immunization Program Branch chief Ronald Balajadia. “We are seeing increases in measles outbreaks globally, including recent cases reported in American Samoa.”

The two recent cases in Hawaii are not related to any cases in American Samoa, the department reported.

Measles is caused by a virus and is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles may start with fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out, starting at the head and spreading to the rest of the body. 

Measles can cause serious illness, including pneumonia, neurologic complications and even death. Infants under 1 year of age are at particularly high risk because they are too young to be vaccinated against measles. However, the measles vaccine may be recommended for children between 6 months and 1 year if exposed to a known case. In this situation, the measles vaccine can prevent the infant from becoming infected and suffering potentially severe complications of measles.  

DOH advises that anyone who thinks they have symptoms consistent with measles or has been exposed to an individual with measles to isolate immediately, seek medical advice and contact a health care provider to receive instructions on avoiding the further spread of the disease.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.