Measles exposure possible from several Big Island locations because of infected visitor

Hawaiʻi Department of Health State Laboratories Division confirmed a case of measles in a vaccinated adult visitor to Oʻahu, who also visited the Big Island, spreading the risk of exposure.

The state Health Department is investigating the case to identify those who might have been exposed and is working with them to prevent the spread of disease.

The visitor recently arrived in Hawaiʻi from a region of the mainland with known measles transmission.

After arriving in the islands, the visitor became ill, sought medical care and is now recovering at a private residence on Oʻahu.

State health officials advise the public that exposure to measles is possible for anyone who visited the following locations during the specified times.

OʻAHU

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

• 12:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26: A gates and baggage claim area.
• 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 3: Terminal 1 check-in, security and A gates.
• 8:30 to 11 p.m. March 4: A gates and baggage claim area.

Lāʻie Mormon Temple

• 4:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Hilo International Airport

• 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 3: Gate areas, baggage claim.
• 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 4: Check-in, security and gate areas.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

• Noon to 6 p.m. March 3: Visitors Center, other attractions.

Hilo Siam Thai Restaurant

• 5 to 9 p.m. March 3.

Flight notifications have been issued for the airlines and airports through which the confirmed infected visitor traveled.

State health officials also are reaching out directly to people who had known contact with the visitor, plus a medical advisory will be issued to healthcare providers statewide.

Anyone who was at the above locations on the dates and times specified is advised:

• Not vaccinated? If you have never received a measles vaccine — either the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine; measles, mumps and rubella vaccine with varicella (MMRV); or a measles-only vaccine that is available in other countries — you might be at risk of developing measles. Anyone exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Vaccine or immune globulin can be given to prevent measles if received shortly after exposure.
• Be vigilant. Watch for symptoms until 3 weeks after last exposure.
• Immunocompromised? Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.
• Already vaccinated? If you received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
• Another dose? If you received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

Take the following actions if you notice symptoms of measles:

• Immediately isolate yourself by staying home.
• Contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you might have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.

Highly contagious

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world.

It spreads by direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected person can spread measles to others from 4 days before developing the rash through 4 days afterward.

The virus can remain in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person left the room.

Symptoms of measles

Symptoms typically begin 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include:

• Fever of more than 101 degrees.
• Runny nose.
• Red, watery eyes.
• Cough.

Three to 5 days after symptoms begin, a rash usually appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

How to protect yourself

The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. All children should receive two doses of the vaccine.

First dose is given at age 12 to 15 months and second at 4 to 6 years of age.

If you are planning to travel, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether an additional or earlier dose of the vaccine is recommended.

All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one measles, mumps and rubella vaccination unless they had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or had the disease.

Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles — such as post-secondary school students, international travelers and healthcare personnel — need a second dose of the vaccine, at least 4 weeks after the first.

If you are exposed and not protected

If you are not protected against measles and exposed to someone with the disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within 72 hours of exposure.
• Immune globulin — a blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus — can prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within 6 days of exposure.

If you are not protected against measles, think you were exposed and cannot reach your healthcare provider promptly, call the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 or 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 might need treatment specific to their problem.

Contact your healthcare provider to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Visit the following sites for additional information:

• Hawaiʻi Department of Health measles information website.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measles website.
• Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine factsheet.