The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a second case of measles linked to a household that recently traveled internationally. The household includes a child whose measles case was confirmed on April 7, and now an adult family member has also tested positive. The adult had displayed symptoms and was treated as a presumed case of measles until the infection was officially confirmed on April 16.
The time taken to confirm the measles in the adult case was longer than usual due to the interval between the onset of symptoms and the collection of test specimens, necessitating an antibody test, which requires more processing time. The DOH had preemptively investigated potential exposures based on the presumed case status. They assert that the adult is no longer contagious, and the child has recovered.
To date, no further suspected cases have emerged, according to the DOH as of April 17. Continued efforts to reach out to those who were potentially exposed are ongoing. Measles is renowned for its extreme contagiousness, spreading either through direct contact with an infected person or via airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Health officials emphasize that vaccination remains the most reliable method for protection against measles and to prevent outbreaks. They recommend consulting with healthcare providers for vaccination information, particularly for those who have not been vaccinated or who lack immunity against measles.