Measles

Hawaii Department of Health Guidelines

According to the Hawaii Department of Health:

Measles is a highly contagious illness that typically causes high fevers, cough and rash; there can be more serious complications. It is spread by small droplets that are dispersed when an ill person coughs, sneezes or speaks. The measles virus does not survive for more than two hours outside the human body.

Fortunately, most people in Hawaii are immune to measles either through vaccination or having had measles illness at some prior time in their life. Still, because not 100 percent of people are immune, and because measles is so infectious, it is possible someone may become infected with measles.

• All adults born in 1957 or later should have a history of at least one dose of measles vaccine to be considered immune.
• Persons born in 1956 or earlier are considered immune through natural infection.
• Children greater than 12 months of age should have two doses of measles vaccine to be considered immune.
• Children less than 12 months are not old enough to have received the vaccine and should be considered not immune.

If you are unsure whether you are immune to measles and you were exposed, you should contact your health provider.

If you are NOT already immune to measles and you were exposed, there is a high likelihood you will be infected. You should restrict contact with the public to make sure you do not become ill and accidentally spread measles to others. (You can spread measles even before you become very sick). Also, if you develop an illness with fever, you should assume the illness is measles and call your health provider for guidance. Be sure to tell your doctor about possible contact with measles when you call.

As a general rule, if you were born before 1957 or have been vaccinated against measles you should be immune to measles. Be advised however that there is a chance, although quite small, that you still could get measles. Therefore, if you develop an illness with fever, you should consider that the illness might be measles and call your health provider for guidance. Be sure to tell your doctor about possible contact with measles when you call.

If you have questions about this information, you can call the Disease Investigation Branch of the Hawaii Department of Health at (808) 586-4586 on Oahu.

For more information you can also visit: www.hawaii.gov/doh search for measles.

Measles Links

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