Measles Exposure Possible at Hilo International Airport, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP, Other Sites

Possible measles exposures at Hilo International Airport affect travelers who were in gate areas and baggage claim on March 3, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and at check-in, security and gate areas on March 4, 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., the Hawaiʻi Department of Health said after confirming a case in a vaccinated adult visitor. The DOH confirmation, released as News Release #26-022, notes the visitor arrived from a region of the continental United States with known measles transmission, sought medical care and is now recovering at a private residence on Oʻahu.

The DOH press release lists additional exposure windows that island residents and visitors should review: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Visitors Center and other attractions, March 3, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.; Hilo Siam Thai restaurant, March 3, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; and Laie Mormon Temple, Feb. 27, 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m. The Governor of Hawaiʻi website and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published matching times for those sites. The press release states explicitly, “The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division has confirmed a case of measles in a vaccinated adult visitor to Oʻahu.”

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is listed as an exposure location but reported times conflict across outlets. The Governor of Hawaiʻi and the Star-Advertiser report Feb. 26, 12:30 p.m.–4 p.m., in A gates and the baggage claim area. KITV published a different HNL window: March 3, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., citing Terminal 1 check-in, security and A gates. The DOH press release and airport authorities should be consulted for final confirmation of HNL timing and any flight-level notifications.

State health officials say they are investigating contacts and working to prevent further spread: “The DOH is investigating the case to identify those who might have been exposed and is working with them to prevent the spread of disease.” Flight notifications have been issued to airlines and airports through which the visitor traveled, and DOH officials are reaching out directly to people who had known contact with the confirmed case. The department will issue a medical advisory to healthcare providers statewide.

The DOH underscores vaccination guidance for the public: “All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one MMR vaccination, unless they have had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have had the disease. Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles, e.g., post-secondary school students, international travelers and healthcare personnel, need a second dose of MMR vaccine, at least four weeks after the first dose.” Unprotected people who believe they were exposed should contact their healthcare provider immediately; if they cannot, call the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586 or the Disease Investigation Branch at 808-586-8362. Vaccine or immune globulin can be given to prevent measles if received shortly after exposure, and public guidance urges people to watch for symptoms until three weeks after their last exposure.

The DOH release does not identify the visitor beyond “a vaccinated adult” and does not report secondary cases or hospitalization. Public health officials stress there is no specific medication to treat measles once infected and that clinical care focuses on fluids, bed rest and fever control, with treatment for any complications as needed.