State officials advise the residents to keep up to date with vaccinations, while measles outbreak on the mainland: Kauai now

While no measles were reported in Hawai'i, state health officials issued medical advice to healthcare providers due to the rapidly expanding outbreak of the virus in Texas and New Mexico.

The advice, which was published on March 11 by the Hawaii Ministry of Health, emphasizes the identification and reporting and the guarantee that all patients without any other evidence of immunity – especially those who are planning international trips – with measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Governor Josh Green, who is also a doctor, said the best protection against the virus was vaccination.

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective to prevent infections and stop the spread,” said the governor. “Measles were once removed in the United States, but low vaccination rates bring them back. We cannot allow this here in Hawaii. “

Many other diseases can imitate measles, and no cases of measles that were acquired in Hawai'i have been reported.

Measles is an acute virus atmosphere. The symptoms usually start 7-14 days after exposure. The first sign is typically a high fever, which is often accompanied by a cough, red, aqueous eyes and a liquid nose. A red rash usually occurs a few days later, begins with the face and upper neck and spread on the arms and legs.

Despite the success of vaccines in preventing diseases, the highly contagious viral disease returns after it was declared in 2000 in the United States to remedy the Ministry of Health, the Hawaii Ministry of Health said in a press release on Monday.

In 2023, four outbreaks and 59 measles cases were reported on the mainland. The figures rose to 16 outbreaks and 285 cases in 2024. By March 13, the centers reported for the control and prevention of diseases and prevention that there are already 301 confirmed cases in 15 states this year.

Meer cases also increase worldwide, with the World Health Organization reporting 10.3 million cases worldwide in 2023.

“It spreads quickly, causes serious complications and exposes our Keiki, Kūpuna, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems,” said Green about the measles. “Prevention is the best cure and a measles breakout is avoidable.”

The State Ministry of Health has determined that the risk of a measles case related to Hawai'i continues to increase, and the risk of an outbreak in Hawaii due to the exposure to a massive measles case has increased due to the high measles and the low vaccination rate against measles.

People infected with measles can spread the virus up to four days before and four days after the presence of symptoms.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses that are currently known, the health department explained. If a person is infected with measles, an expected nine out of ten people nearby who have no immunity will also be infected. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to two hours and contagious after an infected person has left a closed area.

The more infectious a virus is, the higher the percentage of the population, which has to be vaccinated to prevent an outbreak.

“A population swimming rate of at least 95% is required for measles to protect the municipality from an outbreak,” says the publication of the Ministry of Health. “The status of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) of the state for kindergarten teachers was for the school year 2023-2024, below the national average of 93%.”

The vaccination rates in Hawaii are even lower in some bags.

Several schools in Maui, Kaua'i and Hawaiʻi Island report vaccination rates under 75%, which could lead to greater susceptibility. According to the state health officers, this is below the 82% vaccination rate in Gaines County, the epicenter for the Texas-New Mexico outbreak.

“An outbreak on a neighboring island would heavily burden its health system, and no hospital in the neighbor Island has a pediatric intensive care unit,” says the press release.

In the United States, about 1 out of 5 non -vaccinated people who complete measles are hospitalized due to complications such as pneumonia. Other complications are ears of ears that can lead to hearing loss and rarely encephalitis (brain swelling) and even death.

Newborns who are too young to be vaccinated have an increased risk, and measles infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, dead birth and low birth weight.

If you suspect that you have measles, it is important to call your health service provider in advance so that you can start with the process to determine whether measles are available and advise you on steps to prevent the spread in the clinic before your arrival.

DOH calls for all residents, especially parents, to ensure that their children are up to date with the latest vaccinations. High vaccination rates not only protect vaccinated people, but also protect the wider community.

Further information on measles and vaccinations can be found on the website of the Hawai'i Department of Health.